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Z particle |
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Z particleElectrically neutral carrier of the weak force and the neutral partner of the electrically charged W particle. It is nearly 100 times more massive than the proton and has a lifetime of only about 10−25 second. Z particles were first observed in 1983 by Carlo Rubbia and Simon van der Meer at CERN. Further studies have shown a natural variation in mass that is related to the particle's lifetime through the uncertainty principle. Measurements show that when Z particles decay to neutrino-antineutrino pairs (see pair production), they produce only three types of lightweight neutrino, indicating that there are only three sets each of leptons and quarks. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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| Descendants of this type of detector played key roles in the discoveries of several new particles, including the W and Z particles. The Higgs mechanism, responsible for generating the W and Z particle masses, would manifest itself in the form of a new fundamental force (bringing to five the number of fundamental forces in nature) and at least one new particle to carry that force--perhaps a single boson, possibly a bushel load of particles. |
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