Why is weak force short range action?

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of the weak force being short range due to the large mass of Weak quanta, as explained in B Schumm's book Deep Down Things. The conversation also touches on the de Broglie wavelength and its relation to an object's momentum, as well as the Compton wavelength and its role in the range of action for W quanta. The speaker acknowledges their need to further educate themselves on the Compton wavelength and expresses gratitude for the expert's quick response.
  • #1
AlephClo
32
1
In Deep Down Things, an excellent book of B Schumm, at page 288, he explains that the weak force is short range because the Weak quanta have a large mass. Using de Broglie wavelength relation:
Lamda = h / p, he gets a wavelength of 10 ** -18 m, and he concludes that this is the W quanta range of action. My understanding of de Broglie wavelength is that any object has a wavelength, and its span varies with the momentum. So, a baseball would have a very short wavelength, but nothing prevent us to throw the ball at many meters.

So, what prevents the W quanta to travel long distance? Or what do I miss interprete about de Broglie wavelength? Is the physics particle context different for de Broglie's equation?

Thank you
 
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  • #2
It's not the de Broglie wavelength that's involved here, it's the Compton wavelength. If he says de Broglie, he's wrong. The Compton wavelength ħ/mc does not depend on the momentum.

For a W meson one can calculate ħ/mc = ħc/mc2 = (200 MeV-f)/80 GeV ≈ between 10-15 and 10-16 cm.
 
  • #3
He does refer to de Broglie, probably for simplification purpose. The book is a great intro to particle physics.
I will read more on Compton wavelength. Ignorance is our worst enemy
Thank you Bill for your time and quick response :-)
 

Related to Why is weak force short range action?

1. Why is weak force considered a short-range action?

The weak force is considered a short-range action because it only occurs over very short distances, approximately 10^-18 meters. This is due to the fact that the weak force carrier particles, known as W and Z bosons, have a very short lifespan and can only travel a limited distance before decaying into other particles.

2. How does the range of the weak force compare to other fundamental forces?

The range of the weak force is much shorter than the other fundamental forces, such as the strong nuclear force and electromagnetic force. The strong nuclear force has a range of about 10^-15 meters, while the electromagnetic force has an infinite range. This is another reason why the weak force is considered a short-range action.

3. What are the main interactions that are mediated by the weak force?

The weak force is responsible for the radioactive decay of particles, including beta decay and neutrino interactions. It also plays a crucial role in the fusion reactions that power the sun and other stars.

4. Why is the weak force weaker than the other fundamental forces?

The strength of a fundamental force is determined by the coupling constant, which measures the strength of the interaction between particles. The weak force has a much smaller coupling constant compared to the other fundamental forces, making it the weakest force in nature.

5. How does the weak force contribute to the stability of matter?

The weak force plays a crucial role in the stability of matter by facilitating radioactive decay. This process helps to balance the number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus, ensuring that atoms do not become too heavy and unstable. Without the weak force, matter as we know it would not exist.

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