Chapter 44: Problem 22
Which of the following reactions obey the conservation of baryon number? (a) \(\mathrm{p}+\mathrm{p} \rightarrow \mathrm{p}+\mathrm{e}^{+} ;\) (b) \(\mathrm{p}+\mathrm{n} \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{e}^{+}+\mathrm{e}^{-}\) ; (c) \(\mathrm{p} \rightarrow \mathrm{n}+\mathrm{e}^{-}+\overline{\nu}_{\mathrm{c}} ;(\mathrm{d}) \mathrm{p}+\overline{\mathrm{p}} \rightarrow 2 \gamma\)
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understand Baryon Number Conservation
Analyze Reaction (a)
Analyze Reaction (b)
Analyze Reaction (c)
Analyze Reaction (d)
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Understanding Protons
- Charge: Protons carry a positive charge of +1, which is equal in magnitude but opposite in sign to the charge of an electron.
- Baryon Number: The baryon number of a proton is +1, which plays a crucial role in the conservation of baryon number in nuclear reactions.
- Composition: Protons are made up of three quarks: two 'up' quarks and one 'down' quark, held together by the strong nuclear force.
Neutrons and Their Role
- Baryon Number: Neutrons have a baryon number of +1, similar to protons. It is critical in calculations involving baryon number conservation.
- Composition: A neutron is composed of one 'up' quark and two 'down' quarks, also bound by the strong force.
- Nuclear Reactions: Their presence or absence is significant in determining whether a reaction conserves baryon number.
The Concept of Antiparticles
- Definition: Each particle has a corresponding antiparticle with the same mass but opposite charge and quantum numbers.
- Baryon Number: Antiparticles of baryons, like antiprotons \( \overline{\mathrm{p}} \), possess a baryon number of -1, the opposite of their particle counterparts.
- Reactions: In nuclear reactions like \( \mathrm{p} + \overline{\mathrm{p}} \rightarrow 2 \gamma \), the annihilation conserves baryon number because the bar totals zero.