View source for Physics:Quantum particles/lepton

{{Short description|Elementary particle not subject to the strong interaction}}

[[Book:Quantum Collection/Matter (by scale)|← Back to Matter by scale]]

A '''lepton''' is a fundamental [[Physics:Quantum particles/particle|particle]] that does not participate in the strong interaction. The most familiar example is the [[Physics:Quantum atoms/electron|electron]], which plays a central role in atomic structure.

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[[File:Lepton_family.png|300px]]
<div style="font-size:90%;">The lepton family includes the electron, muon, tau, and their associated neutrinos.</div>
</div>

== Description ==
Leptons are elementary particles that interact through the electromagnetic and weak interactions, but not through the strong interaction. They are distinct from [[Physics:Quantum particles/quark|quarks]], which form composite particles such as protons and neutrons.

Leptons include charged particles, such as the electron, and neutral particles known as neutrinos.

== Properties ==

* fundamental particles
* do not experience the strong interaction
* include charged and neutral types

=See also=
{{#invoke:PhysicsQC|tocHeadingAndList|Physics:Quantum basics/See also}}

=References=
{{reflist|3}}

{{Author|Harold Foppele}}
{{Sourceattribution|Physics:Quantum particles/lepton|1}}