What happens to Fermions during Beta decay radiation?

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SUMMARY

During beta decay, fermions such as quarks and leptons undergo transformations where particles like electrons or positrons are created. This process occurs without a deeper mechanism; particles are generated or annihilated in interactions as long as conserved quantities, including energy and momentum, are maintained. Quantum field theory provides a framework for understanding these interactions, emphasizing that the creation of particles is a fundamental aspect of nature.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fermions, specifically quarks and leptons
  • Basic knowledge of beta decay processes
  • Familiarity with conserved quantities in physics (energy, momentum, lepton number)
  • Introduction to quantum field theory concepts
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of beta decay in particle physics
  • Explore the role of conserved quantities in particle interactions
  • Learn about quantum field theory and its implications for particle creation
  • Investigate the flavor-changing processes of quarks
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Students and enthusiasts of particle physics, physicists specializing in quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the fundamental interactions of matter.

SirTerry
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I recently started learning about quarks and leptons and was wondering what happens to the fermions (specifically the quarks and leptons) during a beta decay. How is the electron/positron created and what causes the up quarks and down quarks to change flavours?
If this is a bad question please feel free to ignore it I am just confused as to how it all would work.
Thank you:smile:
 
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The particles are simply created or destroyed in interactions. There is no deeper mechanism for that. This applies to bosons as well.
 
mfb said:
The particles are simply created or destroyed in interactions. There is no deeper mechanism for that. This applies to bosons as well.
But how is there suddenly an electron/positron?
 
It is created.
Particles can be created just like that as long as all conserved quantities are conserved (like energy, momentum, lepton number and so on).

Quantum field theory describes it as interaction between fields but the basic idea is still the same: It just happens. You can keep asking "how" forever but you won't get a useful answer forever. It's just how nature is.
 

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