Q7DQ - University Physics with Modern Physics

Question

According to the standard model of the fundamental particles, what are the similarities between baryons and leptons? What are the most important differences?   

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

See the answer below

Step 1: Determine the similarities between baryons and leptons

• Both are early particles.

• Both baryon number and lepton number are conserved.

• They both have integer charge ratio $\raisebox{1ex}{$Q$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$e$}\right.$.

• They both are fermions.

• They both have stable and unstable particles.

Step 2: Determine the differences between baryons and leptons

• Baryons are massive with an internal structure whereas leptons are elementary particles with quite small masses.

• Baryons consists of quarks, and they interact by the strong force whereas leptons are not composed of quarks, thus they do not interact via the strong force rather by the weak interaction.