Chapter 32, Problem 5Q

To determine

(a) To Determine:

Does the presence of a neutrino among the decay products of a participated necessarily mean that the decay via the weak interaction?

Answer to Problem 5Q

Solution:

Not necessary

Explanation of Solution

Weak interaction involves radioactive beta decay in which proton decays into neutron, an electron and an antineutrino. Neutrino involved as there is involvement of neutron or electron in weak interaction decay. However, it is not necessary that for a weak interaction, neutrino must be present. For example, absorption of Z boson by quark or lepton is a weak interaction but it doesn’t involve neutrino.

To determine

(b) To Determine:

Do all decays via weak interaction produce neutrino?

Answer to Problem 5Q

Solution:

The presence of neutrino suggests that the interaction is weak interaction.

Explanation of Solution

As there are means decay through weak interaction. Doesn’t contain neutrino as its element interactive particle so presence of neutrino suggests that the interaction is weak interaction.