Anti-neutron + Electron reaction?

[Gib Z]

Hey guys, I need help on this question that was in the Australian Physics Olympiad Entrance exam last week:

What would happen if an anti-neutron and an electron collided, and why?


I'm thinking some sort of beta radiation, but that's just a hunch and I don't know why.

Thanks!

 

[malawi_glenn]

Have you tried to draw a Feynman diagram of this one?

 

[Gib Z]

Ahh good idea but I can't get anywhere from it :(

 

[malawi_glenn]

Just draw one for a allowed reaction, i.e :

e + P -> N + e-neutrino

Then crossing (change side and do antiparticle)

e + anti_N -> anti_P + e-neutrino

That should be right

 

[Gib Z]

Ahh :) In other terms, an electron and a proton form a Neutron and an electron neutrino, So an electron and an anti Neutrino make an anti proton and an electron neutrino? The electron neutrino tells me beta radiation, but does the anti proton affect that in any way?

 

[malawi_glenn]

Well yes, but no regarding beta radiation. The particle i listed is all there is. beta radiation is e or anti_e. The first process i draw [e + P -> N + e-neutrino] is called inversed beta-decay.

http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/physics/InverseBetaDecay.html

 

[Gib Z]

Ahh I see. Thank you so much :)

 

[malawi_glenn]

No problem, now good luck! Cheers

 

[Meir Achuz]

Hey guys, I need help on this question that was in the Australian Physics Olympiad Entrance exam last week:

What would happen if an anti-neutron and an electron collided, and why?


I'm thinking some sort of beta radiation, but that's just a hunch and I don't know why.

Thanks!

The most important reaction would be scattering due to the EM interaction between the electron and the antli-neutron magnetic moment.