Date | November 2015 | Marks available | 1 | Reference code | 15N.3.HL.TZ0.22 |
Level | Higher level | Paper | Paper 3 | Time zone | Time zone 0 |
Command term | Describe | Question number | 22 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
This question is about particle interactions.
An electron and a positron interact to produce a muon and antimuon through a weak interaction. The weak interaction involves one of the virtual particles \({{\text{W}}^ - }\), \({{\text{W}}^ + }\) or \({{\text{Z}}^{\text{0}}}\) boson.
Describe what is meant by a virtual particle.
Draw a Feynman diagram which represents this interaction.
Explain whether this interaction involves the \({{\text{W}}^ - }\), \({{\text{W}}^ + }\) or \({{\text{Z}}^{\text{0}}}\) boson.
Markscheme
a particle that mediates one of fundamental forces / a particle that appears as an intermediate particle in a Feynman diagram / a particle that is not observed and may violate energy and momentum conservation at a vertex;
electron and positron directions and symbols shown correctly;
muon and antimuon directions and symbols shown correctly;
\({{\text{Z}}^0}\) boson, no charge has been transferred/neutral current;
Examiners report
Generally well answered.
Generally well answered.
Generally well answered.