AQA AS Level Physics Paper 2, November 2021: Question 7
1 mark · Easy difficulty · Multiple Choice
Identify which of the given particles is an exchange particle for the weak interaction.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
07 Which is an exchange particle for the weak interaction?
[1 mark]
A lepton
B photon
C pion
D W+
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
07 D W+
How to answer it
Particles: Weak Interaction Exchange Particles
What this question tests
This question assesses your factual recall of particle physics, specifically the gauge bosons (exchange particles) responsible for fundamental forces, with a focus on the weak nuclear interaction.
Question Part 0.7
Identify the exchange particle for the weak interaction
✅ Correct Answer
D • W⁺
The W⁺ boson (along with the W⁻ and Z⁰ bosons) is one of the exchange particles responsible for mediating the weak nuclear interaction.
💡 Key Knowledge
- Electromagnetic interaction: Exchange particle is the virtual photon ( γ ).
- Weak nuclear interaction: Exchange particles are W⁺ , W⁻ , and Z⁰ bosons.
- Strong nuclear interaction: Exchange particles are pions (between nucleons) or gluons (between quarks).
- Gravitational interaction: Exchange particle is the theoretical graviton.
🧠 Exam Technique
This is a straightforward multiple-choice recall question worth 1 mark. Do not overthink or spend more than 30 seconds on it. Systematically rule out options that belong to other categories (e.g., photons for EM, pions for strong).
❌ Common Errors
- Confusing exchange particles across different fundamental forces (e.g., choosing B (photon), which belongs to the electromagnetic interaction).
- Confusing particle classifications: A (lepton) and C (pion/hadron) are matter/constituent particles, not force-carrying exchange bosons.
Topics
Physics · 3.2 Particles and radiation
Question and mark scheme from the AQA AS Level Physics examination, Paper 2, November 2021. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.