Weak Interactive Force: Mesons & Bosons

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SUMMARY

The weak interactive force acts on leptons (electron, muon, tau, and neutrinos) and quarks, influencing all particles constructed from quarks, including hadrons such as baryons and mesons. The W and Z bosons mediate this weak interaction, with the W-boson coupling specifically to left-handed chirality eigenstates, while the Z-boson interacts with both chirality eigenstates at varying strengths. Notably, the weak force does not act on photons, gluons, or hypothetical gravitons, although it can couple to photons and gravity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of particle physics terminology, including leptons, quarks, and hadrons.
  • Familiarity with the roles of W and Z bosons in mediating weak interactions.
  • Knowledge of chirality eigenstates and their significance in particle interactions.
  • Basic concepts of fundamental forces, specifically the weak force.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of W and Z bosons in weak interactions.
  • Study the concept of chirality in particle physics.
  • Explore the differences between weak, electromagnetic, and strong forces.
  • Investigate the implications of weak interactions in the Standard Model of particle physics.
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, particularly those focused on particle physics, quantum mechanics, and the Standard Model. This discussion is beneficial for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the weak interactive force and its implications for particle interactions.

Xtreme
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What exactly does the weak interactive force act on?
Does it act on Mesons and Bosons?
 
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It acts on leptons (electron, muon, tau, and neutrinos) and quarks, and therefore on all particles built out of quarks (hadrons, which includes baryons and mesons). And the W and Z bosons which themselves mediate the weak interaction.

To put it another way, everything except photons, gluons and (if they exist) gravitons.
 
jtbell said:
To put it another way, everything except photons, gluons and (if they exist) gravitons.

It couples to photons and gravity as well. So everything except gluons.
 
One should also point out that the charged weak current interaction (W-boson) just couples to particles in the left-handed chirality eigenstate whereas the neutral weak current interaction (Z-boson) couples to both chirality eigenstates but in general with different strength, depending on the particle.
 

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