The Weak Interaction

• What is the weak interaction responsible for?

  Radioactive decay of atoms
• What are the exchange particles that carry the weak interaction?

  W and Z bosons
• How does the type of exchange particle relate to weak interaction?

  It depends on the type of interaction
• What occurs during β- decay?

  A neutron turns into a proton, emitting an electron

  
• What is the role of the W boson in β- decay?

  It is the exchange particle
• What happens during β+ decay?

  A proton turns into a neutron, emitting a positron

  
• What is emitted during β- decay besides the electron?

  An anti-electron neutrino

  
• What is emitted during β+ decay besides the positron?

  An electron neutrino

  
• What interaction facilitates electron capture?

  The weak interaction

  
• What occurs during electron capture?

  An atomic electron is absorbed by a proton
• What is released during electron capture?

  A neutron and an electron neutrino
• What happens during electron-proton collisions?

  A neutron and an electron neutrino are emitted

  
• What mediates both electron capture and electron-proton collisions?

  The W boson

  
• What is the relationship between the W boson and beta decay?

  • W boson is exchanged in β- decay
  • W boson is exchanged in β+ decay
  • The sign of the W boson differs in each decay
• What is the decay equation for electron capture and electron-proton collisions?

  They have the same decay equation
• How do the Feynman diagrams for electron capture and electron-proton collisions differ?

  Only in the sign of the W boson

  
• What should you notice about the W boson in beta decay?

  The sign of the W boson matches the decay type