College Physics (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32160-183-1
ISBN 13: 978-0-32160-183-4

Chapter 30 - Nuclear Reactions and Elementary Particles - Learning Path Questions and Exercises - Conceptual Questions - Page 1029: 18

Answer

Hadrons and leptons are two different classes of subatomic particles. Hadrons are composed of quarks, which are held together by the strong nuclear force, while leptons are fundamental particles that do not participate in the strong nuclear force. One way to distinguish between hadrons and leptons is through their interactions and exchange particles. Hadrons interact with other particles through the exchange of mesons, which are particles composed of a quark and an antiquark. Mesons are the particles that mediate the strong nuclear force, which is responsible for holding quarks together inside the hadron. In addition to the strong nuclear force, hadrons also interact through the weak nuclear force, which is responsible for certain types of particle interactions, such as beta decay. The exchange particles for the weak nuclear force are the W and Z bosons. Leptons, on the other hand, do not interact through the strong nuclear force, since they do not contain quarks. Instead, they interact through the electromagnetic force, which is mediated by the exchange of photons. Leptons also interact through the weak nuclear force, which is responsible for processes such as beta decay and neutrino interactions. The exchange particles for the weak nuclear force are the W and Z bosons, as mentioned above.

Work Step by Step

In summary, hadrons and leptons can be distinguished based on their interactions and exchange particles. Hadrons interact through the strong nuclear force and exchange mesons, while leptons interact through the electromagnetic and weak nuclear forces and exchange photons and W/Z bosons.
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