Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: DoctorBeaver on 03/02/2008 23:56:40

Title: Particle spin and the Weak force
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 03/02/2008 23:56:40

Are there any theories as to why the weak force only affects left-handed particles?

I've looked at quite a few sources that describe the Weak force, but so far I have found nothing that may help to explain the parity violation involved.

Title: Particle spin and the Weak force
Post by: Saganist on 04/02/2008 23:48:17

Hi Doc,

According to Dr. Randall's book Warped Passages, there are no theories on the weak force's handedness at the moment.

This feature of the weak force certainly interests me as well. Great question!

Cheers.

PH

Title: Particle spin and the Weak force
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 05/02/2008 07:48:35

I know there's nothing in the book about it. But that book was written a few years ago and I wondered if something had come to light, or been proposed, since then.

It's certainly an intriguing problem & I hope the answer comes to light before I'm too senile to understand it  [:(]

I was wondering, could it be that W bosons somehow align themselves to the particle they're interacting with - similar to how polarisation works in crystals - and that as they themselves spin, they only affect particles that are spinning the opposite way? When the W boson and the particle are spinning the opposite way, then the actual points of contact will be moving in the same direction. When they are spinning in the same direction, the points of contact will be moving in opposite directions.

Think of it as 2 adjacent kiddies' roundabouts. You are on 1 and you want to put your bag on the other. If they are both rotating in the same direction then their adjacent parts are moving in opposite directions at the combined speed of both. That would make it difficult for you to place your bag on the other roundabout. If, however, they are rotating in opposite directions, when you are at the point that it nearest to the other roundabout, your speed relative to it will be zero and placing the bag on it would be easy.

Another analogy - cog wheels. If they are spinning in the same direction and you bring them together there will be a horrible crunch, But if they are rotating in opposite directions, they will mesh together nicely.

So, what I'm saying is, could it be that all W bosons are right-handed and hence, when they have aligned with the other particle, they only interact with left-handed particles? With right-handed particles, they just bounce off?

I know that with particles it isn't real spin. I'm merely trying to express in words what I see as an abstract pattern.