Baryon Charge

Baryon Charge

 

baryon number (symbol B), one of the characteristics of elementary particles. It differs from zero for baryons and is equal to zero for all other particles. The baryon charge of baryons is assumed to be +1; therefore, the baryon charge of antibaryons is -1. Elementary particles with a baryon charge exceeding 1 in absolute value have not been observed. The baryon charge of a system of particles is equal to the difference between the numbers of baryons and antibaryons in the system. In particular, the baryon charge of atomic nuclei is equal to their mass number. The baryon charge is a strictly conserved quantity; the law of conservation of baryon charges applies in all types of interaction of elementary particles (strong, electromagnetic, and weak).