User interface language: English | Español

Date May 2014 Marks available 1 Reference code 14M.3.SL.TZ2.11
Level Standard level Paper Paper 3 Time zone Time zone 2
Command term State Question number 11 Adapted from N/A

Question

This question is about fundamental interactions.

The kaon \(({{\text{K}}^ + } = {\rm{u\bar s)}}\) decays into an antimuon and a neutrino as shown by the Feynman diagram.

M14/4/PHYSI/SP3/ENG/TZ2/11.b

Explain why the virtual particle in this Feynman diagram must be a weak interaction exchange particle.

[2]
b.i.

A student claims that the \({{\text{K}}^ + }\) is produced in neutron decays according to the reaction \({\text{n}} \to {{\text{K}}^ + } + {{\text{e}}^ - }\). State one reason why this claim is false.

[1]
c.

Markscheme

the decay does not conserve strangeness;

and only the weak interaction violates strangeness conservation;

or

a neutrino is produced in this decay;

neutrinos interact only via the weak interaction;

b.i.

does not conserve baryon/quark/lepton number;

c.

Examiners report

[N/A]
b.i.
[N/A]
c.

Syllabus sections

Core » Topic 7: Atomic, nuclear and particle physics » 7.3 – The structure of matter
Show 96 related questions

View options