Does the annihilation of a proton always result in gamma radiation emission?

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SUMMARY

The annihilation of a proton does not always result in gamma radiation emission; this is a specific case that requires particular conditions. The discussion highlights that proton annihilation can lead to various outcomes, including the production of pions, with a maximum of 13 pions possible based on rest mass. The process of pair production, described as γ + e → e + (e + e̅), is distinct from annihilation and involves different reaction rates and channels. Understanding these processes is crucial for accurate predictions in particle physics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of particle physics concepts, specifically proton annihilation and pair production.
  • Familiarity with conservation of momentum in particle interactions.
  • Knowledge of pion production and its relation to proton interactions.
  • Basic grasp of electromagnetic radiation and the electromagnetic spectrum, particularly gamma radiation.
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  • Research the specifics of proton annihilation processes and their outcomes.
  • Study the principles of pair production in particle physics.
  • Examine the conservation laws applicable to particle interactions, focusing on momentum and energy conservation.
  • Explore experimental studies on pion production rates in proton annihilation scenarios.
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This discussion is beneficial for particle physicists, researchers in high-energy physics, and students studying advanced concepts in quantum mechanics and particle interactions.

SU403RUNFAST
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When a proton is annhilated, is there gamma radiation emitted?
 
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Why not crunch the numbers and see - what frequency radiation results? Is that part of the EM spectrum corresponding to "gamma radiation"?
 
I already crunched numbers got .6 picometer wavelength, so i am just checking ...
 
OK - so does that correspond to the gamma-ray wavelength?
Did you look it up to see?
 
SU403RUNFAST said:
When a proton is annhilated, is there gamma radiation emitted?

What do you mean by this? A proton is not going to simply disappear. You need to specify the process you have in mind. Once you have done that, you can start looking at reaction rates and different channels and cross sections.
 
In addition to Orodruin's answer: the process you might have in mind is extremely unlikely.
Annihilation does not always produce photons, and "two photons and nothing else" is a very special case.
 
I know, you guys are assuming i am trying to solve some problem the situation is that a photon is annhilated in the presence of a stationary electron, forming an electron positron pair along with the original electron. Y+e=e+e+e
 
What is the average number of pions produced by proton annihilation? 4,5?
Maximum is 13 (from pion rest mass). Minimum... 1 is obviously impossible (conservation of momentum), but is 2 pions a legal option, and if so then how frequent?
 
the situation is that a photon is annhilated in the presence of a stationary electron, forming an electron positron pair along with the original electron. Y+e=e+e+e
... that is different from the description in post #1 and the title where you said a proton was being annihilated.

The process: ##\gamma + e \rightarrow e+(e+\bar e)## ... is called "pair production", not "annihilation".
http://web.pdx.edu/~egertonr/ph311-12/pair-p&a.htm
 
  • #10
snorkack said:
What is the average number of pions produced by proton annihilation? 4,5?
Maximum is 13 (from pion rest mass). Minimum... 1 is obviously impossible (conservation of momentum), but is 2 pions a legal option, and if so then how frequent?
5 (experiment, theory). There was some better experimental paper I don't find any more.@SU403RUNFAST: The additional emission of a photon in the process Simon Bridge described is possible, but the emitted photon there does not have a fixed energy then.
 

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