Questions About W Bosons: Speed, Isolation & Existence

In summary, the speed of W (or Z) bosons has not been directly measured, but their existence is known due to their short lifespan of about 10^-25 seconds. They are not charged particles like photons, but the Z boson has a known mass of 90 GeV. This is determined through the minimum energy required to create one. The W and Z bosons have been isolated and their existence has been confirmed through experiments, leading to a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1984.
  • #1
Thinkor
49
1
Has the speed of W (or Z) bosons ever been measured?
I presume not, because I have read they exist for only about 10^-25 seconds.

So, how is it known that they are not charged particles that move at the speed of light, with energy, but no mass, like photons?

Have they ever been isolated?

How is it known that they exist?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
http://pdg.lbl.gov/

Look through the above. It contains lots of information about W and Z particles. Note that the W particles are charged.
 
  • #3
The Z boson is uncharged, but we know its mass is about 90 GeV. Why? Because it takes a minimum of 90 GeV energy to make one!
 
  • #4
Thinkor said:
Have they ever been isolated?

How is it known that they exist?

Nobel Prize in Physics 1984

http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1984/rubbia-lecture.pdf (PDF)
 

Related to Questions About W Bosons: Speed, Isolation & Existence

1. What is the speed of W bosons?

The speed of W bosons is equal to the speed of light, which is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second in a vacuum. This has been confirmed through various experiments and is a fundamental property of the particle.

2. Are W bosons isolated or do they interact with other particles?

W bosons are not isolated particles and they interact with other particles through the weak nuclear force. This force is responsible for radioactive decay and is one of the four fundamental forces in nature.

3. How do we know that W bosons exist?

W bosons were first predicted by the Standard Model of particle physics, which is a theory that explains the fundamental particles and their interactions. Their existence was later confirmed through experiments at particle accelerators, such as the Large Hadron Collider.

4. Do W bosons have mass?

Yes, W bosons do have mass. In fact, they are one of the heaviest known particles. The mass of a W boson is approximately 80 times greater than the mass of a proton.

5. Can W bosons be created or destroyed?

W bosons can be created and destroyed through interactions with other particles. For example, in a proton-proton collision at the Large Hadron Collider, W bosons can be created and then quickly decay into other particles. However, the total number of W bosons in the universe remains constant due to the law of conservation of energy.

Similar threads

I W boson and weak decay
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
23
Views
524
B Where does the mass of a W boson come from in beta decay?
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
3
Views
2K
I New Constraints On The Higgs Boson Width
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
11
Views
1K
I The Latest Higgs Boson Mass Measurement
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
13
Views
2K
I Electroweak Feynman Rules: Confusion about the photon-W boson interaction term
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
2
Views
1K
I How Does Beta Decay Relate to the Role of W Bosons in Weak Nuclear Force?
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
4
Views
2K
A For the W3 and B bosons, what is their hypercharge and isospin?
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
1
Views
2K
A W+/W- bosons ratio in proton-proton collision
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
5
Views
2K
A CDF measures W mass higher than predicted
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
2
Replies
42
Views
4K
I Velocity of Bosons: Massless Particles & Electromagnetic Force
    • High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
Replies
6
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top