Question

How does the weak force change strangeness by altering quark flavor?

a) By changing the number of up quarks
b) By altering the number of charm quarks
c) Through the conversion of strange quarks
d) Not affecting strangeness

Answer 1

The weak force can change the flavor of quarks, including changing a strange quark to up or down quarks, thus altering their strangeness while conserving baryon number, charge, and lepton numbers.

Step-by-step explanation:

The weak force is capable of changing the flavor of quarks, thereby altering their strangeness. During such interactions, a strange quark (s) can be converted into an up quark (u) or down quark (d). This conversion process is responsible for the observed changes in strangeness and can occur in reactions such as beta decay. For instance, in certain particles, a strange quark can decay into an up quark, an electron, and an electron antineutrino, demonstrating the weak force's ability to change quark flavor and affect strangeness. However, it's important to note that while the weak force can change quark flavor, resulting in a change in strangeness, baryon number, charge, and lepton numbers are still conserved in such processes.