I've read that the W and Z "messenger" particles that govern the strong nuclear force are many, many times heavier than a single proton. If this is so, why don't we observe this weight? Where is that much mass coming from, and where is it going? Why does a messenger particle have mass at all? Most of all I can't understand how we're not seeing this mass show up in standard observations. I mean really... what's up with that?
2006-06-27 17:37:35 · 5 answers · asked by Argon 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Hi Aaron
The W+, W- and Z particles are actually intermediate vector bosons - they're the exchange bosons for the weak force, not the strong force. The unification of weak force with electromagnetism requires these bosons to be massive (so that the strengths reconcile at the unification energy). A consequence of the boson mass is that the weak force is short ranged.
Both W and Z bosons have been detected at CERN. The detected masses match those predicted by electroweak theory. The mass of these bosons is posited to occur via the Higgs mechanism, the interaction of the bosons with the Higgs scalar mass field. The charged W bosons take part in quark decays (eg beta decay) whereas the Z boson shows influence through weaker neutral currents.
Strong nuclear interactions are mediated by gluons. There are 8 different gluon types (compare to four electroweak bosons) and all gluons are massless (like the photon).
Hope this helps!
The Chicken
2006-06-27 17:50:54 · answer #1 · answered by Magic Chicken 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The mass is shown up in standard observations. The mass is saying there is a safer way to live I've levitated give me $10 billion and your country is free of war and things in relation to war.
A messenger particle has mass at all because it's freed a country from war already the country of its nationality just by being that nationality. I mean really... what's up with that?
2006-07-03 12:59:50 · answer #2 · answered by 22 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
W And Z Particles
2017-01-18 07:28:27 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need mass if you're going to keep a nucleus together. I mean, you want a heavy bouncer to keep all those protons that repel each other from flying apart. A lightweight particle just wouldn't be up to the job. Just like in life, bullies tend to be large.
2006-06-27 17:43:11 · answer #4 · answered by fresh2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it really is between the provider debris for the susceptible rigidity. An instantly ahead particle that has a mass 182,000 cases that of the electron, is electrically impartial, and constitutes the quantum of susceptible interactions in which the charges of partaking debris do no longer change. The photon, gluon, and the graviton provider debris are considered massless and having no electric powered cost. in uncomplicated phrases the W and Z debris, mediators of the susceptible nuclear rigidity, are massive, and the W+ and W- debris carry cost. rigidity provider debris can in uncomplicated phrases be absorbed or produced through a matter particle that's laid low with that distinct rigidity. those debris enable us clarify interactions between matter.
2016-11-15 08:38:12 · answer #5 · answered by cathell 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋