Physics:Quantum particles/lepton
lepton is a Book II topic in the Quantum Collection. A lepton is a fundamental particle that does not participate in the strong interaction. The most familiar example is the electron, which plays a central role in atomic structure. Leptons are central to the Standard Model because they form a family of matter particles that includes charged leptons and neutrinos. Their weak interactions, masses, flavor mixing, and antiparticles connect atomic physics, nuclear decay, neutrino oscillations, and high-energy experiments. The electron is the lepton most directly responsible for chemistry and ordinary atomic structure.
Description
Leptons are elementary particles that interact through the electromagnetic and weak interactions, but not through the strong interaction. They are distinct from quarks, which form composite particles such as protons and neutrons.
Leptons include charged particles, such as the electron, and neutral particles known as neutrinos.
Properties
- fundamental particles
- do not experience the strong interaction
- include charged and neutral types
See also
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Source attribution: Physics:Quantum particles/lepton
