Particle Physics: Exchange Particles/Gauge Bosons

Question 1

What is an exchange particle?

Answer 1

A virtual particle which exists only for a short time and mediates a force

Question 2

Name the four things an exchange particle transfers and conserves

Answer 2

Energy, momentum, force, and (if applicable) charge

Question 3

Describe the fundamental force of gravity

Answer 3

Acts on any particle with mass or electromagnetic radiation with an infinite range. The exchange particle is the theorised graviton

Question 4

Describe the electrostatic force

Answer 4

Acts on charged particles with an infinite range. The exchange particle is the photon

Question 5

Describe the weak nuclear force

Answer 5

Acts on quarks and leptons, with range 10^-18 metres. The exchange particles are the W+, W-, and Z0 bosons

Question 6

Describe the strong nuclear force

Answer 6

Acts on all hadrons , with range 10^-15 metres. The exchange particles are gluons and pions

Question 7

How do we know the strong nuclear force must exist

Answer 7

Protons are positively charged and repel due to the electrostatic force. To prevent the nucleus from exploding, there must be an extra inward force, emulsified if they get too close, attractive if they get too far away.