Physics:Quantum particles/lepton

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Short description: Elementary particle not subject to the strong interaction


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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.

File:Lepton family.png

The lepton family includes the electron, muon, tau, and their associated neutrinos.

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

Table of contents (136 articles)

Index

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14. Plasma and fusion physics (8)

References


Author: Harold Foppele