What is the W- boson in beta decay?

In summary, the neutron can be converted to a proton through the expulsion of a down anti-up pair, resulting in a slight mass loss. The W- particle, a type of gauge boson, is then emitted from the neutron and splits into an electron and an electron anti-neutrino. This process is known as electroweak interaction and occurs due to the violation of energy preservation, causing the W- to decay quickly in order to meet the Heisenberg principle.
  • #1
JJ
39
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neutron => proton + W- => proton + electron + electron anti-neutrino

What're the quarks composing W-? To convert a neutron to a proton, there would need to be the expulsion of a down anti-up pair. That would mean a tad bit of mass loss, how does this work?
 
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  • #2
JJ said:
neutron => proton + W- => proton + electron + electron anti-neutrino

What're the quarks composing W-? To convert a neutron to a proton, there would need to be the expulsion of a down anti-up pair. That would mean a tad bit of mass loss, how does this work?

A d quark in the neutron emits the W- and becomes a u quark., but there are no quarks in the W. The W is called a gauge boson, and it mediates electroweak interactions between leptons. It's a distinct type of particle from a quark (which is a lepton).

The photon is another example of such a boson, as are the Z, gluon, and graviton (if it exists).
 
  • #3
So it isn't a meson (edit: wait, stupid question as it doesn't have quarks)? By mediating the electroweak interaction, do you mean it is emitted from the neutron and then splits into an electron and antineutrino? Is it as simple as that or more complicated? If it is complicated, don't bother yourself with explaining it here.

Thank you.
 
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  • #4
It is as simple as that. In any case you can consider that the W is very massive, thus the emission violates energy preservation and thus it must decay in a very short time, inverse of the mass or so, to meet Heisenberg principle.
 

1. What is the W-boson in beta decay?

The W-boson is a subatomic particle that mediates the weak nuclear force. In beta decay, a neutron decays into a proton, electron, and antineutrino by emitting a W-boson.

2. How does the W-boson play a role in beta decay?

The W-boson is responsible for carrying the weak nuclear force between the decaying neutron and the electron and antineutrino. This allows for the transformation of the neutron into a proton, while also conserving energy and momentum.

3. What is the difference between the W+ and W- bosons in beta decay?

The W+ and W- bosons are two different types of W-bosons that have opposite electric charge. In beta decay, the W+ boson is emitted when a neutron decays into a proton, while the W- boson is emitted when a proton decays into a neutron.

4. How does the W-boson's mass affect beta decay?

The W-boson's mass plays a crucial role in beta decay, as it determines the rate at which the decay occurs. The higher the mass of the W-boson, the slower the decay process will be.

5. Can the W-boson be observed in beta decay experiments?

Yes, the W-boson has been observed in experiments conducted at particle accelerators, such as the Large Hadron Collider. By studying the properties of the W-boson, scientists can gain a deeper understanding of the weak nuclear force and its role in beta decay.

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