Can we find EM radiation in charged particle's decays?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential for electromagnetic radiation to be produced during the decay of charged particles, specifically focusing on whether bremsstrahlung occurs in such processes. Participants explore the implications of classical electrodynamics in the context of particle decay and the conditions under which radiation might be observed.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that a charged particle changing velocity must radiate according to classical electrodynamics, questioning if this applies to decays involving charged particles.
  • Another participant clarifies that if photons are explicitly ruled out as decay products, then electromagnetic radiation cannot be found.
  • A participant references bremsstrahlung and questions whether it can occur during charged particle creation or annihilation, suggesting that it may be relevant to beta decay.
  • There is a discussion about whether every charged-to-charged particle decay involves bremsstrahlung, with one participant noting that it may not always be detectable by particle detectors.
  • One participant seeks further information and resources on the topic, indicating a desire for deeper understanding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between charged particle decays and the production of electromagnetic radiation, particularly bremsstrahlung. The discussion remains unresolved, with no consensus reached on whether all charged-to-charged particle decays involve bremsstrahlung.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved the assumptions regarding the conditions under which bremsstrahlung may occur, nor have they clarified the specific contexts in which electromagnetic radiation might be detected or not detected during particle decays.

ORF
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Hello.

I was taught that a charge which changes its velocity must radiate (at least, in classical electrodynamics).

Let's consider a charged particle which decays into another charged particle (and, maybe, others neutral particles; but not photons). In this case, can we find electromagnetic radiation?

I found a particular example*,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bremsstrahlung#Beta_decay
but I wonder if this a general feature of charged particle's decays.

If this question is already answered in this forum, just tell me, and I will delete this thread.

Thank you for your time :)

Greetings
*"The "inner" bremsstrahlung arises from the creation of the electron [...]"
PS: My mother language is not English, so I'll be glad if you correct any mistake.
 
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ORF said:
(at least, in classical electrodynamics).
In classical physics, indeed.
ORF said:
Let's consider a charged particle which decays into another charged particle (and, maybe, others neutral particles; but not photons). In this case, can we find electromagnetic radiation?
If you explicitely rule out photons as decay product, then we cannot find photons.

Bremsstrahlung is not a particle decay.
 
Hello.

Wikipedia's article says that exist "radiation from the creation of a charged particle". Maybe the first question I should have made is: can we find bremsstrahlung in charged particle's creations/annihilations?

mfb said:
then we cannot find photons.
I put the idea into the wrong words. Let's take one example: the beta-decay itself doesn't involve photons, but they appear as Bremsstrahlung.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bremsstrahlung#Beta_decay

My (reformulated) doubt is: every charged-to-charged particle's decay involve Bremsstrahlung?

Thank you for your patience and time :)

Greetings.
 
That can be called Bremsstrahlung as well, right. I thought of the process of electrons in matter in post 2.

ORF said:
every charged-to-charged particle's decay involve Bremsstrahlung?
At least not always in a way particle detectors could see it. Very low-energetic photons... could be.
 
Hello.

Ok, that was what I thought. Is there any book/link which explains this issue? I would like further information :)

Thank you for your time :)

Greetings.
 

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