Speed of an antimuon in a pi meson decay

In summary, the conversation discusses attempting to confirm the speed of an antimuon in the decay of a pi meson using conservation laws. The equations involved include the energy-momentum relation, rest masses, and the relativistic kinetic energy formula. However, the calculated speed of the antimuon does not match the expected value, indicating that not all of the energy is available to the muon due to the presence of a neutrino with momentum.
  • #1
Je m'appelle
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Homework Statement



I'm trying to confirm the speed of an antimuon in the [itex] \pi^+ \rightarrow \mu^+ \nu_{\mu} [/itex] decay through the laws of conservation but it doesn't add up.

Homework Equations


[/B]
1.Energy-momentum relation:

[tex]E^2 = (pc)^2 + (mc^2)^2 [/tex]

2. Rest masses:

[tex]m_{\pi} = 139.6 \ \frac{MeV}{c^2}[/tex]
[tex]m_{\mu} = 105.7 \ \frac{MeV}{c^2}[/tex]
[tex]m_{\nu} \approx 0 \frac{MeV}{c^2}[/tex]

3. Relativistic kinetic energy formula:

[tex]E_k =m_{\mu}c^2 \left( \frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - \frac{v_{\mu}^2}{c^2}}} - 1 \right)[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



By the way, the pi meson decays at rest, so [itex]p_{\pi}=0[/itex].

I'm considering the difference of mass, before and after the decay, as pure kinetic energy, so around [itex](m_{\pi} - m_{\mu})c^2 = 33.9 MeV[/itex].

[tex]m_{\mu}c^2 \left( \frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - \frac{v_{\mu}^2}{c^2}}} - 1 \right) = 33.9 \ MeV [/tex]

Carrying this out yields [itex]v_{\mu}=0.65c[/itex] when in fact it should be [itex]0.27c[/itex].

What am I doing wrong?
 
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  • #2
In order for momentum to be conserved, the neutrino must have momentum, so not all of that energy is available to the muon.
 
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1. What is an antimuon?

An antimuon is the antiparticle of a muon, which is a subatomic particle with a negative charge and a mass approximately 200 times that of an electron. Antimuons have a positive charge and the same mass as muons, but they have opposite spin and magnetic moment.

2. What is a pi meson decay?

A pi meson decay is a type of radioactive decay in which a pi meson, also known as a pion, spontaneously transforms into other particles, such as muons and antimuons. This decay process is a fundamental part of the Standard Model of particle physics.

3. How is the speed of an antimuon in a pi meson decay determined?

The speed of an antimuon in a pi meson decay is determined using the principles of special relativity, which describe the relationship between an object's speed, mass, and energy. The speed of the antimuon can be calculated by measuring the energies and momenta of the particles involved in the decay process.

4. What factors affect the speed of an antimuon in a pi meson decay?

The speed of an antimuon in a pi meson decay can be affected by various factors, including the energy of the original pion, the angle of emission of the antimuon, and any interactions with other particles during the decay process. The speed can also be influenced by the presence of external forces, such as magnetic or electric fields.

5. Why is the speed of an antimuon in a pi meson decay important?

The speed of an antimuon in a pi meson decay is important for understanding the fundamental properties of particles and their interactions. It also has practical applications in fields such as medical imaging, where antimuons can be used to produce high-energy gamma rays for diagnostic imaging.

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