The table lists approximate relative strengths of the fundamental forces acting…
PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Particles and radiation · Particles and radiation
Problem
The table lists approximate relative strengths of the fundamental forces acting between elementary particles:
Electromagnetic ∼10−2
Weak ∼10−13
Gravitational ∼10−43
A student claims that an external electric field could significantly alter the trajectory of an emitted neutrino. Which statement best evaluates this claim using the data?
(a) Correct, because the electromagnetic force is 1011 times stronger than the weak force, so even a modest electric field will dominate the neutrino’s motion.
(b) Incorrect, because the weak force rather than the electromagnetic force dominates neutrino interactions, and it is much stronger at subatomic distances.
(c) Incorrect, because neutrinos are electrically neutral and therefore do not experience electromagnetic forces, no matter how strong those forces are.
(d) Correct, because gravitational forces are negligible compared with electromagnetism, so the electric field will produce the largest force on the neutrino.