Experimental test of parity conservation in beta decay

E400611

Experimental test of parity conservation in beta decay is the landmark 1956–57 physics experiment led by Chien-Shiung Wu that demonstrated the violation of parity symmetry in weak interactions, overturning a fundamental assumption of particle physics.

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Predicate Object
instanceOf landmark experiment
physics experiment
weak interaction experiment
alsoKnownAs Wu experiment
Wu parity violation experiment
linked to: Wu experiment
conductedBy Chien-Shiung Wu
confirmedHypothesisOf Chen-Ning Yang
linked to: C. N. Yang

Tsung-Dao Lee
linked to: T. D. Lee
contributedTo Nobel Prize in Physics 1957 for Lee and Yang
country United States
demonstrated parity violation
violation of parity symmetry in weak interactions
field nuclear physics
particle physics
historicalSignificance marked the first clear observation of parity violation
triggered major revisions of weak interaction theory
influenced Standard Model of particle physics
linked to: Standard Model
interactionTypeStudied weak interaction
isExampleOf precision low-temperature experiment
symmetry test in physics
ledBy Chien-Shiung Wu
measured angular distribution of emitted electrons
asymmetry of beta emission relative to nuclear spin direction
overturnedAssumption universal parity conservation in fundamental interactions
performedAt Columbia University
Nevis Laboratory
preceded experiments on parity violation in muon decay
experiments on parity violation in pion decay
providedEvidenceFor Lee–Yang theory of parity nonconservation
publicationYear 1957
publishedIn Physical Review
relatedTo CP violation
mirror symmetry
parity transformation
showed nonconservation of parity in weak interactions
showedNotViolatedIn electromagnetic interaction
strong interaction
studies beta decay
tests parity conservation
parity symmetry
timePeriod 1956–1957
usedIsotope 60Co
cobalt-60
usedMethod low-temperature nuclear orientation
polarization of cobalt-60 nuclei in a magnetic field
usedProcess beta decay of polarized cobalt-60 nuclei
year 1956
1957

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Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Chien-Shiung Wu notableWork Experimental test of parity conservation in beta decay
Wu experiment inspiredBy Lee–Yang parity violation hypothesis
linked to: Experimental test of parity conservation in beta decay
Wu experiment confirmedPredictionOf Lee–Yang parity violation theory
linked to: Experimental test of parity conservation in beta decay
Wu experiment alsoKnownAs cobalt-60 beta decay parity violation experiment
linked to: Experimental test of parity conservation in beta decay