Particle Physics – Symmetry and Conservation Laws Related to Baryon Number, Lepton Number, and Strangeness

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According to Noether's theorem, Every continuous symmetry of the action leads to a conservation law. For example, conservation of linear momentum corresponds to translational symmetry, conservation of angular momentum corresponds to rotational symmetry.

My question is on the conservation of baryon number, lepton number and strangeness. What type of symmetry does imply when the above mentioned quantities are conserved in a system?

Best Answer

Conservation of baryon number <-> Global gauge invariance

Conservation of lepton number <-> U(1) symmetry

Conservation of strangeness is only for the strong (SU(3) symmetry) and electromagnetic interactions ( local U(1) gauge invariance)