There is an unstable particle called the “sigma-minus” (), which can decay into a neutron and a negative pion (ττ):-n+ττ-. The mass of the -is 1196MeV/c2, the mass of the neutron is 939 MeV/c2, and the mass of the ττis 140MeV/c2. Write equations that could be used to calculate the momentum and energy of the neutron and the pion. You do not need to solve the equations, which would involve some messy algebra. However, be clear in showing that you have enough equations that you could in principle solve for the unknown quantities in your equations. It is advantageous to write the equations not in terms of v but rather in terms of E and p; remember that E2-(ρc)2=(mc2)2.

Short Answer

Expert verified

The equations for energy and momentum f pion and neutron are

m-c2=pn/π-c2+mnc22+pn/π-c2+mπ-c22E=pn/π-c2+mn/π-c22

Step by step solution

01

Identification of given data

The given data can be listed below,

  • The mass of the sigma-minus is,-=1196MeV/c2 .
  • The mass of the neutron is,n=939MeV/c2 .
  • The mass of the negative pion is,π-=140MeV/c2
02

Concept/Significance of momentum

The momentum is the measurement of the volume of mass – movement, reflecting the ability to keep its tendency of movement state.

03

Determination of equations that could be used to calculate the momentum and energy of the neutron and the pion

The total energy of the decay particle is given by,

E=pc2+mc22

Here, pis the momentum of the particle, mis the mass of the particle and cis the speed of light.

For given three particles, energy of the particles is given by,

E-=En+Eπ

Here,Enis the energy of the neutron andEπ-is the energy of negative pion.

Substitute the values according to energy equation.

p-c2+m-c22=pnc2+mnc22+pπ-c2+mπ-c22

The initial momentum of the sigma negative is zero because the particle is at rest. So, the final momentum of the system will also equal to zero.

So, the momentum of rest two particle is given by,

pn+px=0pn=pπ-=p

Rewrite the energy equation.

m-c2=pc2+mnc22+pc2+mπ-c22

The energy of the particles like pion and neutron is only dependent on mass and momentum.so from above, two equations can be written. One for momentum and other for energy of pion and neutron which can be given below as,

m-c2=pn/π-c2+mnc22+pn/π-c2+mπ-c22E=pn/π-c2+mn/π-c22

Thus, the equations for energy and momentum f pion and neutron are

m-c2=pn/π-c2+mnc22+pn/π-c2+mπ-c22E=pn/π-c2+mn/π-c22

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Most popular questions from this chapter

In outer space, rock 1 whose mass is5Kg and whose velocity was(3300,-3100,3400)m/s struck rock 2, which was at rest. After the collision, rock 1’s velocity is(2800,-2400,3700)m/s . (a) What is the final momentum of rock 2? (b) Before the collision, what was the kinetic energy of rock 1? (c) Before the collision, what was the kinetic energy of rock 2? (d) After the collision, what is the kinetic energy of rock 1? (e) Suppose that the collision was elastic (that is, there was no change in kinetic energy and therefore no change in thermal or other internal energy of the rocks). In that case, after the collision, what is the kinetic energy of rock 2? (f) On the other hand, suppose that in the collision some of the kinetic energy is converted into thermal energy of the two rocks, whereEthermal,1+Ethermal,2=7.16×106J . What is the final kinetic energy of rock 2? (g) In this case (some of the kinetic energy being converted to thermal energy), what was the transfer of energy Q (microscopic work) from the surroundings into the two-rock system during the collision? (Remember that Q represents energy transfer due to a temperature difference between a system and its surroundings.)

A ball whose mass is 0.2kg hits the floor with a speed of 8 m/s and rebounds upward with a speed of 7m/s. The ball was in contact with the floor for0.5ms0.5×10-3s.

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(c) In a collision, for a brief time there are forces between the colliding objects that are much greater than external forces. Compare the magnitudes of the forces found in parts (a) and (b).

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You know that a collision must be “elastic” if: (1) The colliding objects stick together. (2) The colliding objects are stretchy or squishy. (3) The sum of the final kinetic energies equals the sum of the initial kinetic energies. (4) There is no change in the internal energies of the objects (thermal energy, vibrational energy, etc.). (5) The momentum of the two-object system doesn’t change.

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