Decay of a proton into a positron and a neutral pion

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SUMMARY

The decay of a proton into a positron and a neutral pion (p → e+ + π°) has a half-life exceeding 10^33 years, which serves as a critical test for conservation laws in particle physics. This decay process indicates that baryon number conservation is violated, as the initial baryon number of 1 does not equal the final baryon number of 0. Additionally, lepton number conservation is also violated, as the initial lepton number of 0 does not match the final lepton number of -1. These findings highlight the importance of such decay limits in validating conservation laws.

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rwooduk
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p -> e+ + pi°

is >10^33 years. what conservation law does this limit test?


p is uud
pi° is uu or dd where the second quark of each is an antiquark



baryon number is not conserved 1 = 0 + 0
charge is conserved
lepton number is not conserved 0 = -1 + 0


not sure what this question is getting at, please could someone give me a point in the right direction? thanks
 
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You already answered the question. If that decay is ever observed than the conservation of lepton number and Baryon number will both be violated so that limit is an expression of the validity of those conservations. Conservations are usually tested with limits like that.
 
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dauto said:
You already answered the question. If that decay is ever observed than the conservation of lepton number and Baryon number will both be violated so that limit is an expression of the validity of those conservations. Conservations are usually tested with limits like that.

great, ok thanks for the reply!
 

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