Allowed Reactions: Process 1-5 Explained

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the classification of five particle interaction processes in terms of their conservation laws and whether they are strong, weak, or forbidden interactions according to the Standard Model of particle physics. Processes 1 and 2 are determined to be impossible due to violations of lepton number conservation, while processes 3, 4, and 5 are debated regarding their feasibility, particularly concerning spin and strangeness conservation. The consensus suggests that processes 3, 4, and 5 may be weak interactions, but further clarification on spin conservation is necessary for definitive conclusions.

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  • Knowledge of conservation laws: charge, mass, lepton number, baryon number, spin, and strangeness
  • Familiarity with weak and strong interactions in particle physics
  • Basic proficiency in LaTeX for representing particle interactions
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Students and researchers in particle physics, physicists analyzing particle interactions, and anyone interested in the applications of the Standard Model in understanding fundamental forces.

genloz
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I would really just like to know if I'm on the right track here in terms of if reactions can go ahead or not... The reactions are in latex and my thoughts are below each one..

Homework Statement


For each of the following processes say whether it is a strong, electromagnetic or weak process or whether it is forbidden in the standard model and explain the reasons.

Process 1
K^{0} \rightarrow \pi^{+}+e^{-}
Charge conserved
Mass conserved
Lepton Number - not conserved
Baryon Number - no baryons
Spin - (-1/3)(1/3) -> (2/3)(1/3) + (1/2) not conserved
Strangeness - not conserved
Therefore not possible
It would have been a weak interaction though?

Process 2
e^{-}+p \rightarrow n+\upsilon_{\mu} (the final thing should be a muon neutrino)
Charge conserved
Mass conserved
Lepton Number - not conserved
Baryon Number - conserved
Spin - (1/2) + (1/2) -> (1/2) + (0) not conserved
Strangeness - conserved
Therefore not possible
It would have been a weak interaction though?

Process 3
\Delta^{0} \rightarrow \pi^{+}+n
Charge conserved
Mass conserved
Lepton Number - no leptons
Baryon Number - conserved
Spin - ? -> 0 + (1/2) no idea
Strangeness - conserved
Therefore possible? (dependent on spin)
It would be a weak interaction

Process 4
K^{0} + n \rightarrow \Lambda + \pi^{0}
Charge conserved
Mass conserved
Lepton Number - no leptons
Baryon Number - ?
Spin - ?
Strangeness - not conserved (s in the K, anti-s in the lambda)
Therefore possible? (dependent on spin & baryon number)
It would be a weak interaction

Process 5
\Xi^{0} \rightarrow \Lambda + \pi^{0}
Charge conserved
Mass conserved
Lepton Number - no leptons
Baryon Number - ?
Spin - ?
Strangeness - not conserved (ss in the Xi, s in the lambda)
Therefore possible? (dependent on spin)
It would be a weak interaction


Also, In what situation would it be a strong interaction?
 
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Actually, I think processes 3,4 and 5 are strong interactions rather than weak...
 
Okay, process 3 also isn't possible due to the delta having spin 3/2, the pion having spin 0 and the neutron having spin 1/2 so this is also impossible due to spin not being conserved?

Process 4
Baryon Number 0 + 1 -> 1 + 0, conserved
Spin 0 + 1/2 -> 1/2 + 0, conserved
So process 4 is possible...

Process 5
Baryon Number 1 -> 1 + 0 conserved
Spin - can't find out the spin for Xi, -> 1/2 + 0
So it's not possible due to lack of strangeness conservation and possibly spin but unsure on this point??

Please let me know if I'm on the right track here!
 

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