Small questions about weinberg angle

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    Angle Weinberg
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Weinberg angle and its implications in particle physics, specifically regarding the relationships between the photon, Z0 boson, and the weak interaction coupling constants. Participants explore theoretical derivations and conceptual clarifications related to these topics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether B0 and W0 are orthogonal or if the photon and Z0 are orthogonal eigenfunctions.
  • Another participant suggests deriving the relationship tg(t) = g'/g through the weak interaction operator and its implications.
  • Concerns are raised about the assertion that the photon only interacts with electrical charge, leading to confusion over the derivation of the relationship involving tg(t).
  • A participant shares their attempt to derive relationships involving coupling constants and expresses frustration over their understanding of the material.
  • One participant provides a sketch of the neutral current interaction and suggests using weak-angle rotation to express W0 and B0 in terms of A and Z, hinting at how to derive relationships between e, g, and g'.
  • Another participant notes that all three coupling constants g, g', and e are of similar magnitude, challenging the notion that the weak force is weak.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty and differing interpretations regarding the relationships between the coupling constants and the properties of the particles involved. There is no consensus on the derivations or the implications of the Weinberg angle.

Contextual Notes

Some participants acknowledge that they may be asking questions that are beyond their current understanding, indicating a potential gap in foundational knowledge related to particle physics.

goinginsane
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Hello !

My books defines the photon and Z0 boson as:

16iic6g.png


for the short read :
I have 3 questions

Are B0 and W0 orthogonal or the photon and Z0?
How do you derive that tg(t) = g'/g (with g' corresponding to B0, g to W0)
How do you derive that e = sin(t) ?


The long read:
Also W0 couples with g (same as the "normal" W+ and W-) and B0 couples with g'.
My first question is (rather dumb one but its getting late and can't think clearly anymore haha):
Are W0 and B0 orthogonal or the foton and Z0 eigenfunctions?

Second question is: My book said ==> the photon only interacts with electrical charge
I said "yes, that's very true mister book! You are finally starting to understand it !
Then he said : well, like I was saying " the photon only interacts with electrical charge, this implies that :
tg(t) = g'/g

I said " Mister book, I am sorry if I have offended you but now you are just making stuff up ! "
He answered " HAHA ! I guess YOU are the one that doesn't understand it"
Anyways we kibbeled for a long time more...
How can you derive that ? :o

I shut my book (up) and i tried to understand it like this :

for example define weak interaction operator A

<f|A|f> = 0 (cause doesn't interact) = cos(t) <B0|A|B0> + sin(t) <Z0|A|Z0> (With assuming B0 and Z0 were orthogonal.)
so you get 0 = g' cos(t) + g sin(t)
But then ofcourse i get a minus. I had the feeling i was doing a good job.

So i opened the book again and showed him my progress. But alas, he laughed again.
Cause under that formula there was e = sin(t) g and now I am really confused !
I threw the sadistic book in the closest as punishment. And I fear I won't be able to open it again without understanding it first.
so please help !

Kind regards,

an idiot :)
 
Last edited:
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goinginsane, I'm thinking this may be an assignment, is it? So I'll just sketch the idea. Write out the neutral current interaction, Lint ~ g JμW0μ + g' JμY Bμ. (I'm deliberately leaving out some factors.) Use the weak-angle rotation to express W0μ and Bμ in terms of Aμ and Zμ: Lint = (...)Aμ + (...)Zμ. The coefficient in front of Aμ must be the electric current, e(Jμ + JμY). (Factors omitted.) Equating this to the expression you just derived should give the relationships between e, g and g'.
 
Bill_K said:
goinginsane, I'm thinking this may be an assignment, is it? So I'll just sketch the idea. Write out the neutral current interaction, Lint ~ g JμW0μ + g' JμY Bμ. (I'm deliberately leaving out some factors.) Use the weak-angle rotation to express W0μ and Bμ in terms of Aμ and Zμ: Lint = (...)Aμ + (...)Zμ. The coefficient in front of Aμ must be the electric current, e(Jμ + JμY). (Factors omitted.) Equating this to the expression you just derived should give the relationships between e, g and g'.

No it is not, we don't get assigments just an exam :)
I could just read it and assume its correct. but I always try to derive all equations by myself when I am learning something.
thanks for the help anyways

aha, well this is just introduction to particle physics so I might be asking questions i can't understand yet. sorry :P
 
Ok, good. The interesting point is that all three coupling constants g, g' and e are all about the same size. So anybody who tells you that the "weak" force is weak... well, it's not!
 

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