4. Hadrons and Leptons Flashcards
What are particles that can feel the strong nuclear force called?
Hadrons
What are the two types of hadrons?
- Baryons
2. Mesons
Name 2 baryons
- Proton
2. Neutron
What is a free proton?
A proton that is not in the nucleus
What do baryons decay into?
A proton (most stable)
What are the antibaryons?
- Antiproton
2. Antineutron
What is the baryon number?
A quantum number that must be conserved
What is the baryon number of a proton and a neutron?
B = +1
What is the baryon number of an antiproton and an antineutron?
B = -1
What is the baryon number of a particle that is not a baryon?
B = 0
What does it mean if the baryon number of a particle interaction is not conserved?
The particle interaction cannot exist
What forms when a neutron decays?
A proton, an electron and an electron antineutrino
What interaction is beta decay caused by?
Weak
How do mesons interact with baryons?
Via the strong force
How are mesons different to baryons?
All mesons are unstable and they have a baryon number of 0
Name 2 mesons
- Pions
2. Kaons
Which are the lightest mesons?
Pions
What are the 3 versions of the pion?
π plus, π minus, π 0
plus = positive charge
minus = negative charge
0 = no charge
What is the antiparticle of π plus?
π minus
What is the antiparticle of π 0?
Itself
What are the differences between kaons and pions?
Kaons are heavier and more unstable than pions so have a shorter lifetime and decay into pions
What are the particles that cannot feel the strong nuclear force called?
Leptons
Are hadrons or leptons fundamental particles?
Leptons, because hadrons are made up of quarks
Name 2 leptons
- Electron
2. Muon
What is a lepton number?
A quantum number like the baryon number
What are the two types of lepton numbers?
- Electron type
2. Muon type
What does it mean if the baryon number of a particle interaction is not conserved?
The particle interaction cannot exist
