2.3 Leptons at work

Question 1

What is the symbol for the muon neutrino?

Answer 1

» V(muon sign)

Question 2

What is the symbol for the electron neutrino?

Answer 2

» v(electron sign)

Question 3

How can leptons change into other leptons?

Answer 3

» Through the weak interaction

Question 4

Why are leptons fundamental?

Answer 4

» All experiments found that leptons don’t break down into non-leptons

Question 5

What can happen in an interaction between a lepton and a hadron?

Answer 5

» A neutrino or antineutrino can change into or from a corresponding charged lepton

Question 6

How can we make sure an equation conserves the lepton number?

Answer 6

» A lepton has a lepton number of +1
» An antilepton has a lepton number of -1
» Any non-lepton has a lepton number of 0

Question 7

What happens in muon decay?

Answer 7

» Muon changes into a muon neutrino
» An electron is created to conserve charge
» Corresponding antineutrino is created to conserve lepton number

Question 8

What is the lepton type of law?

Answer 8

» We always need to apply the law of conversation of lepton number separately to electrons and muons