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Conservation Rules. Particle Physics Lesson 10. Can these happen?. Why/Why not?. Hadrons. There are a very large number of particles that are classified as hadrons , which are subdivided into two further classifications, the mesons , and the baryons .
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Conservation Rules Particle Physics Lesson 10
Can these happen? Why/Why not?
Hadrons • There are a very large number of particles that are classified as hadrons, which are subdivided into two further classifications, the mesons, and the baryons. • Hadrons interact by the strong, weak, and electromagnetic force. • They are not fundamental particles but have a structure. • They have non-zero rest masses, about 1 GeV/c2 • They have an associated value of charge, Q,and baryon numberB. • Hadrons with zero baryon number are called mesons; those with baryon number of 1 are called baryons.
Mesons • These particles have a smaller rest mass than the baryons (and a lower rest mass than the tau lepton). They have: • Zero baryon number. • Short lifetimes. • Antiparticles
Here are a few mesons: • Notice how short the lifetimes are of these mesons.
We should note the following: • Mesons have TWO quantum numbers that must be conserved in interactions. The charge is denoted by Q, the baryon number by B. Mesons have a baryon number of 0. • Mesons have a lepton number of 0. This must be conserved in any interactions with leptons. • Here is a typical decay:
Notice the conservation of charge and baryon number. • Here are some more:
Show that this interaction can proceed: • π+μ+ + νm
Answer • Charge +1 ----> + 1 + 0 (Charge is conserved) (P) • Baryon 0 ----> 0 + 0 (Baryon number is conserved) (P) • Therefore it can proceed
Baryons • These are the heavyweights of particle physics, and include the familiar proton and neutron. • They are made up of three quarks • They have quantum numbers such as charge and baryon number, which must be conserved in interactions.
The proton is the only stable baryon. • All the others spontaneously decay, although the neutron within a nucleus is stable, apart from beta decay. • The decay times are incredibly short, except the isolated neutron which takes about 8 to 10 minutes. • Baryons decay to protons, either directly (Σ+π+ + π0) or indirectly (W-Λ0 + K, then Λ0π+ + π-). • Mesons decay to photons or leptons.
Show that this decay is possible: • Λ0π+ + π-
Answer • Charge 0 +1 + -1 (Charge is conserved) (P) • Baryon 1 1 + 0 (Baryon number is conserved) (P) • The interaction is possible.