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Nuclear & Particle Physics

Leptons

A family of elementary spin-1/2 fermions that do not experience the strong nuclear interaction.

Governing formula Spin = ½, Baryon Number B = 0, Lepton Number L = 1
SI unit Elementary Particle Class

In depth

Comprises six fundamental particle flavors grouped into three generations: the electron (e⁻), muon (μ⁻), tau (τ⁻), and their three corresponding neutral neutrinos (ν_e, ν_μ, ν_τ). Charged leptons carry -1 e charge, while neutrinos are electrically neutral.

Examples in the real world

Electrons forming atomic electron shells, and solar electron neutrinos streaming harmlessly through Earth.