Weak-interaction processes conserve both electric charge and a quantity called "lepton number." Electrons have lepton number $=+1$, positrons have lepton number -1 , and nucleons have lepton number $=0$. Study the weak interactions in this chapter.
-(a) What can you infer about the lepton number of the neutrino?
A) This quanton has lepton number $=+1$.
B) This quanton has lepton number $=-1$.
C) This quanton has lepton number $=0$.
D) One cannot determine this quanton's lepton number from the processes we have studied.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Neutrinos are associated with electrons in weak interactions, such as beta decay, where an electron (lepton number +1) is emitted alongside an anti-neutrino to conserve lepton number. Thus, to balance the lepton number in interactions, neutrinos must have a lepton number of +1.

Weak-Interaction Processes Conserve Both Electric Charge and a Quantity Called =+1=+1=+1

Weak-Interaction Processes Conserve Both Electric Charge and a Quantity Called $=+1$