Chapter 44: Problem 21
In which of the following decays are the three lepton numbers conserved? In each case, explain your reasoning. (a) \(\mu^{-} \rightarrow \mathrm{e}^{-}+\nu_{\mathrm{e}}+\overline{\nu}_{\mu} ;(\mathrm{b}) \tau^{-} \rightarrow \mathrm{e}^{-}+\overline{\nu}_{\mathrm{e}}+\nu_{\tau} ;(\mathrm{c}) \pi^{+} \rightarrow \mathrm{e}^{+}+\overline{\gamma}\) \((\mathrm{d}) \mathrm{n} \rightarrow \mathrm{p}+\mathrm{e}^{-}+\overline{\nu}_{\mathrm{e}}\)
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Define Lepton Numbers
Evaluate Process (a)
Evaluate Process (b)
Evaluate Process (c)
Evaluate Process (d)
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Lepton Decay Processes
- In a decay process, the sum of lepton numbers before decay must equal the sum after decay.
- For electrons ( ue), the electron lepton number is conserved.
- For muons ( umu), the muon lepton number remains unchanged.
- For tau particles ( utau), the tau lepton number is preserved.
Particle Physics
Particle physics establishes conservation laws like those of energy, momentum, and importantly, lepton number.
- Conservation laws are pivotal, as they guide understanding of allowed and forbidden particle interactions.
- Experiments in particle physics probe these interactions, often using accelerators to collide particles at high energies.
Muon Decay
Tau Decay
- Conservation is essential: Each chain of resulting transformations must meet equality checks\.
- Observe Lepton Interaction: Leptons returning may behave in forms without \(\demoteform\u_}\)\.
Particle Interaction
The weak force facilitates the transformation of one type of lepton into another, often accompanied by neutrinos.
- Interactions explain decay pathways and particle transformations.
- The weak force allows charged and neutral current interactions, critical in lepton decays.