Charge-to-Mass Ratio of Pion & Electron: Compare & Calculate Mass

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the charge-to-mass ratio of the pion and electron, specifically addressing a homework problem involving the He3 atom and the calculation of the pion's mass. The charge-to-mass ratio of the electron is established as 1.76 x 1011 C/kg, leading to the calculated mass of the electron as 9.09 x 10-31 kg. Participants clarify that the pion is a meson with possible charges of +1, -1, or 0, and emphasize that the charge-to-mass ratio for the pion must be determined through analysis rather than direct comparison to the He3 atom.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of particle physics, specifically quarks and leptons
  • Familiarity with mesons, particularly pions
  • Knowledge of charge-to-mass ratio calculations
  • Basic proficiency in algebraic manipulation of equations
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  • Research the properties and types of pions, including π0, π-, and π+
  • Study the concept of charge-to-mass ratio in particle physics
  • Learn about the structure of the He3 atom and its constituents
  • Explore advanced calculations involving elementary charge and mass in particle interactions
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Students in particle physics, educators teaching atomic structure, and anyone interested in the comparative analysis of fundamental particles like pions and electrons.

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Homework Statement


1.Sketch a diagram of the atom He3, using the appropriate quarks and leptons.

2 The charge-to-mass ratio of the pion was determined in 1. The charge-to-mass ratio of the electron is 1.76 x 10^11 C/kg.
a) Based on this info, predict which particle has a greater mass- the electron of the pion . Justify your answer by referring to the charge-to-mass ratio.
b) Use the value of the elementary charge (e = 1.6 x 10^-19C) to calculate the mass of the pion in kg. Compare the mass of the pion to the mass of the electron.


Homework Equations


q = q/m x m




The Attempt at a Solution


1. No problems, just stated question to illustrate entire problem

2a) I predict the He3 particle will have more mass- it consists of 2 protons, 1 neutron and 2 electrons

2b) mass of electron = charge/ charge to mass ratio
= (1.6 x 10^(-19) C)/(1.76 x 10^11 C/kg)
= 9.09 x 10-31 kg
It's the pion charge-to-mass ratio I'm having troubles with. Between the quarks and leptons- it is a neutral atom, therefore dividing the charge by the mass is 0
I feel like I've been at this too long, and I'm missing a basic point here.
Please help
 
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There is not enough information to formulate an intelligible reply.
 
The Pion is not an atom, it is a meson.

Pions can have ±1 elementary charge. That is the charge to mass ratio the question is referring to. This is something you should have, according to the question.
 
So the pion is a meson of the He3 atom?
Can't pions also have a 0 charge? +1, -1 or 0 charge?
Thank you for your help.
 
RoyalCat said:
This is something you should have, according to the question.

The charge-to-mass ratio was not provided. It was to be determined trhrough my sketch in #1. The sketch shows that the quarks and leptons cancel each other out to leave the meson with a 0 charge
 
justgroovin said:
The charge-to-mass ratio was not provided. It was to be determined trhrough my sketch in #1. The sketch shows that the quarks and leptons cancel each other out to leave the meson with a 0 charge

How does sketching a He3 atom provide you with data on a pion?

Consider the following, there are three kinds of pions, \pi ^ 0, \pi ^{-}, \pi^{+}
 
I figured that since it helped me to see that the quarks and leptons cancel out each other, it shows a 0 charge. Since the ratio is q/m and q = 0 then the ratio = 0.
 
justgroovin said:

Homework Equations


q = q/m x m

How exactly is this equation supposed to help solve the problem?
 
Dickfore said:
How exactly is this equation supposed to help solve the problem?

mass = charge/ charge to mass ratio
is what I got from that equation, and I used this to help me determine the mass of the electron.
I am supposed to compare the mass of pion to the mass of the electron, so I needed to determine the mass of the electron.
 
  • #10
This is my final question in my ILC course (other than my unit summary) before I prep for my final. I haven't NOT answered any questions yet, and I could really use some help to understand what I'm just not getting about this one.
Any input would be helpful please.
Thank you
 
  • #11
justgroovin said:
This is my final question in my ILC course (other than my unit summary) before I prep for my final. I haven't NOT answered any questions yet, and I could really use some help to understand what I'm just not getting about this one.
Any input would be helpful please.
Thank you

A Pion has very little in common with He3, is the problem.
 

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