Confused About W Bosons: Mass/Energy Inside and Outside Proton?

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies that W bosons, which have a mass of approximately 80 GeV, are not components of protons, which have a mass around 1 GeV. Instead, W bosons are virtual particles that mediate the weak force during processes like beta decay. The confusion arises from the misconception that W bosons exist as components within protons, whereas they actually appear transiently to facilitate particle interactions. The relationship between quarks and W bosons is also highlighted, emphasizing that W bosons do not directly contribute to the mass of protons.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of particle physics concepts, specifically the roles of W bosons and quarks.
  • Familiarity with the principles of virtual particles and energy conservation in quantum mechanics.
  • Knowledge of beta decay processes and the weak nuclear force.
  • Basic grasp of mass-energy equivalence and the equation E^2 = p^2 + m^2.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of virtual particles in quantum field theory.
  • Study the mechanics of beta decay and the weak force interactions.
  • Explore the differences between real and virtual particles in particle physics.
  • Learn about the mass-energy relationship and its implications in particle interactions.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for particle physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding the interactions between fundamental particles like W bosons and quarks.

Qconfused
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need help, I'm reading that W bosons are 80 GeV, but they are components of protons of ~1 GEV. Makes no sense. Is the 80 GeV the mass/energy of the particle if it is outside the proton? If so what is the mass/energy as a transfer particle within the proton. If you subtract the mass of the quarks from 1GeV is the remaining energy the sum of the energy of the bosons?
 
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W bosons are not components of protons. Are you sure you're not confusing them with quarks?
 
He might think that by looking at pictures of beta decay, where a VIRTUAL W-boson carries the weak force and couples it between an electron and a neutrino.

He might think that the W-boson preexists as a component of the proton. But that is not how it is really. The W boson is for the first a virtual particle, so it does not satisfy E^2 = p^2 +m^2, secondly energy conservation CAN be violated, but only for a short time. We have that E\dot t > \hbar/2, so it is ok for the W boson to just come from "nowere" to "do its job" by chaning the proton to a neutron and creating an electron and a neutrino.
 
Thank you malawi, you hit my lapse on several fronts. I was reading about neutron decay to proton with ejection of W- and got to thinking that W- was the boson (gluon) exchange particle. total confusion.
 

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