AQA A Level Physics复习笔记2.3.3 The Weak Interaction

• The weak interaction is responsible for the radioactive decay of atoms
• The exchange particle that carries this force is the W–, W+ or Z0 boson
  • The type of exchange particle depends on the type of interaction

   

β decay

• β– and β+ decay are examples of the weak interaction in action
• In β– decay, a neutron turns into a proton emitting an electron and an anti-electron neutrino

• The W– boson is the exchange particle in this interaction

Feynman diagram showing beta minus decay. The W– boson is the exchange particle

• In β+ decay, a proton turns into a neutron emitting a positron and an electron neutrino

• The W+ boson is the exchange particle in this interaction

Feynman diagram showing beta plus decay. The W+ boson is the exchange particle

Electron Capture & Electron–Proton Collisions

• Electrons and protons are attracted to each other via the electromagnetic interaction
  • However, when they interact with each other, it is the weak interaction that facilitates the collision

   

• Both electron capture and electron-proton collisions have the same decay equation

• Electron capture is when an atomic electron is absorbed by a proton in the nucleus resulting in the release of a neutron and an electron neutrino
  • This decay is mediated by the W+ boson

   

• Electron-proton collisions are similar; when an electron collides with a proton, a neutron and an electron neutrino are emitted
  • This decay is mediated by the W– boson

   

Feynman diagrams for electron capture and an electron-proton collision. These are equal except for the sign of the W boson