Introduction to Weak Interactions:
Weak interactions, also known as the weak force or weak nuclear force, are one of the four fundamental forces of nature, alongside gravity, electromagnetism, and the strong nuclear force. Weak interactions are responsible for processes such as beta decay in atomic nuclei and the interactions of neutrinos. Despite their name, weak interactions are crucial in understanding the stability of matter and have profound implications for the behavior of subatomic particles.
Electroweak Theory:
Explore the electroweak theory, which unifies the weak force and electromagnetism, and its role in the Standard Model of particle physics, shedding light on the interactions of quarks, leptons, and force carriers.
Beta Decay and Neutrinos:
Investigate beta decay, a process governed by weak interactions, and the role of neutrinos as particles involved in weak interactions, with implications for astrophysics and cosmology.
Chiral Symmetry Breaking and Mass Generation:
Delve into how weak interactions, particularly through spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking, lead to the generation of masses for elementary particles, including quarks and leptons.
CP Violation and Matter-Antimatter Asymmetry:
Focus on CP violation, a phenomenon observed in weak interactions, which is fundamental to understanding the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe, one of the central puzzles of cosmology.
Neutrino Oscillations:
Examine neutrino oscillations, a consequence of weak interactions, and how they reveal that neutrinos exist in multiple flavor states, contributing to our understanding of neutrino properties and the nature of neutrino masses.