Article
Article
Lepton
Article By:
Commins, Eugene D. Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, California.
Perl, Martin L. Formerly, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, Stanford, California. Nobelist.
Last reviewed:January 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.378200
An elementary particle having no internal constituents. There are three known charged leptons: the electron (e−), the muon (μ−), and the tau (τ−). In addition, the corresponding antiparticles e+, μ+, τ+ are known. Each experiences electromagnetic, weak, and gravitational forces, but not the strong (nuclear) force. Associated with each charged lepton is a corresponding neutral lepton, called a neutrino (νe, νμ, ντ) or antineutrino: (e,μ,τ); these have only weak and gravitational interactions. A charged lepton and its associated neutrino form a lepton generation; thus there are three known lepton generations (see table). See also: Electron; Neutrino
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