Z Boson

Definition: The Z boson is a type of fundamental particle that, along with the W boson, mediates the weak nuclear force. It is a called a boson because it has a quantum spin with an integer value. The Z boson has the following properties:

• 0 electrical charge; it is electrically neutral
• The anti-particle of a Z boson is another Z boson.
• Mass = 91.1876 GeV/c²
• Particle spin = 1

The Z boson was discovered in 1983, earning the 1984 Nobel Prize in Physics for Simon van der Meer and Carlo Rubbia.

Also Known As: Z⁰ boson