Lepton number
The third particle emitted is therefore an antineutrino, and the lepton number remains zero on both sides. To ensure the conservation of lepton number, the reaction must be three particle decay. The corresponding lepton numbers for the elements are as follows: Thus, it is important to note that only neutrinos will be emitted along with the neutron, and the lepton number on both sides remains the same (i.e., 1).ĭuring a neutron decay, only first-generation leptons, like electrons and electro-neutrinos, are involved. The total of the subscripts (atomic numbers, ) in the reactants and products must be the. If in case, the antineutrino is emitted, then the conservation of lepton number will be violated. Conservation of baryon number - Conservation of lepton number. The corresponding lepton numbers for the elements are: Let’s discuss few interactions to understand the conservation of lepton number:ĭuring an electron capture, only first-generation leptons, like electrons and electron neutrinos, are involved. There are three kinds of leptons: electron-lepton, muon-lepton, and tau-lepton, which are conserved separately in The meaning of conservation of lepton number has been derived from the basic laws of physics it means that whenever a lepton associated with a certain generation is created or destroyed, a corresponding antilepton associated with the same generation of leptons must also be destroyed or created. Along with muons, they form a second generation of leptons.Ĭ) Tau Neutrino : They are just like electrons and muon neutrinos, the only difference is that they form third generation of leptons.Ĭonservation of the lepton number states that the sum of lepton numbers before and after the interaction must be the same. These, along with electrons, form the first generation of leptons.ī) Muon Neutrino : They are subatomic lepton particles, which have half spin, and no charge.
![lepton number lepton number](https://www.frontiersin.org/files/Articles/331421/fphy-06-00040-HTML/image_m/fphy-06-00040-g023.jpg)
There are three types:Ī) Electron Neutrino : It is a subatomic lepton, which has no electric charge and has half spin. They are subatomic with negligible mass and no electric charge. Neutral (Neutrino) Leptons : They are electrically neutral particles, which interact with nothing. They are heavier, and are unstable subatomic particles.Ĭ) Tau : Similar to electrons, it has a negative charge and a half-spin, is heavier than Muon, and has a smaller lifetime than that of Muon. It forms a group, or cloud, which surrounds the nucleus.ī) Muon : Similar to electron, it has a negative charge, and a half-spin. They are of three basic types:Ī) Electron : A negatively charged particle located in the electron cloud, is one of the constituents of an atom. They combine with other particles to form various other particles like atoms and positrons.
![lepton number lepton number](https://image.slideserve.com/1105717/slide16-l.jpg)
There are two main classes of leptons:Ĭharged Leptons : They are also known as electron-like leptons. Since all the leptons have half-spins, they lie in the category of fermions, and are subjected to the Pauli Exclusion Principle. A lepton is an elementary particle having a half-integer spin which never undergoes strong interactions those particles which participate in strong interactions, are called hadrons.