Question about quark flavor change.

In summary, the EM and weak forces can change the flavor of a quark by using W bosons, but this is unlikely to happen due to charge conservation. The strong force, however, cannot change the type of quark. The only thing that can change quark flavors in the Standard Model are W bosons.
  • #1
XSerenity
3
0
Hello,

I'm a bit unclear on how the EM, weak, and strong forces can change the flavor of a quark.

EM/Weak Force:
Can you skip a generation (ie. u -> t or b -> d)? Also can you change quark generations with a W (ie, while also changing the quark charge, e.g. u -> s)?

Strong force:
Can the strong force change the type of quark, and if so, what are the rules for this?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
XSerenity said:
EM/Weak Force:
Can you skip a generation (ie. u -> t or b -> d)? Also can you change quark generations with a W (ie, while also changing the quark charge, e.g. u -> s)?

Check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CKM_matrix. W's can change quarks from one generation to any other, but they only flip up-types to down-types, or vice versa (due to charge conservation), and not with equal probability. If you want say u->t then that takes two W's, and is incredibly unlikely to happen (even if kinetatically allowed).

Z's do not do anything to quark flavour.

XSerenity said:
Strong force:
Can the strong force change the type of quark, and if so, what are the rules for this?

No it cannot. The only thing that can change quark flavours in the Standard Model are W bosons.
 
Last edited:
  • #3
Thanks!
 

1. What is quark flavor change?

Quark flavor change refers to the process by which a quark changes from one flavor to another. Quarks are elementary particles that make up protons and neutrons, and they come in six different flavors: up, down, charm, strange, top, and bottom.

2. What causes quark flavor change?

Quark flavor change is caused by the weak nuclear force, one of the four fundamental forces of nature. This force is responsible for the decay of particles and can cause quarks to change flavors.

3. Can quark flavor change be observed?

Yes, quark flavor change has been observed in experiments at particle accelerators, such as the Large Hadron Collider. Scientists can detect the different flavors of quarks by studying the particles they produce in collisions.

4. How does quark flavor change affect matter?

Quark flavor change plays a crucial role in the behavior of matter. For example, it is essential for understanding how particles are created and destroyed in the early universe, and it is also important for understanding the behavior of matter in extreme conditions, such as in the cores of neutron stars.

5. Is quark flavor change related to flavor in food?

No, the term "flavor" in the context of quarks refers to a property that helps identify and distinguish different types of quarks. It is not related to the flavors we taste in food, which are determined by the chemical composition of the food.

Similar threads

  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
2
Replies
46
Views
3K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
3
Views
853
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
7
Views
996
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
5
Views
5K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
8
Views
1K
Back
Top