Question

The rest energy of W+ boson is about 80 GeV. What is the range of charged weak interaction?

Answer 1

W bosons are electrically charged and designated by their symbols like as W⁺ (positively charged) and W⁻ (negatively charged). The W boson changes the make-up of particles. By emitting an electrically charged W boson, the weak force changes the flavor of a quark which causes a proton to change into a neutron.

The range of charged weak interaction will be given as :

R_weak = [(hbar) c / M_W c²]

R_weak = (hbar) / M_W c

where, M_W = 80 GeV

c = 3 x 10⁸ m/s

then, we get

R_weak 2 x 10^-18 m

R_weak = 0.002 fm