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kpou
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One of the possible decay modes of the neutral kaon is K-> pion + pion The rest energies of the K0 and pion are 498 MeV and 135 MeV, respectively. The kaon is initially at rest when it decays.
a) How much energy is released in the decay?
b) What are the momentum and relative direction of the two neutral pions
Possible equations:
E0=mc^2
E=(gamma)mc^2
p=(gamma)mv
I got logged out of my last attempt at a post, so let me see if I can replicate it ;x
I figured at first that the energy released would deal with the loss of energy from the 498 MeV = 135MeV+135MeV +?, but these are all rest energies. I'm not sure if there is a difference, but if the energy released by this was not 228 (498-170) MeV then I would have to delve into the wonderful world of relativity. However, I am not sure of what options I have here. Multiplying it by gamma seems too easy. :/
For momentum we take p=mv(gamma). We need to find gamma and v. E0=mc^2 gives us the mass (m=E0/c^2). E=(gamma)mc^2 throws us another nice equation using these variables. We can plop E0=mc^2 in there to target the gamma. We then get E=(gamma)E0. or (gamma)=E/E0. But now we need to find E also.
Any help would be appreciated
a) How much energy is released in the decay?
b) What are the momentum and relative direction of the two neutral pions
Possible equations:
E0=mc^2
E=(gamma)mc^2
p=(gamma)mv
I got logged out of my last attempt at a post, so let me see if I can replicate it ;x
I figured at first that the energy released would deal with the loss of energy from the 498 MeV = 135MeV+135MeV +?, but these are all rest energies. I'm not sure if there is a difference, but if the energy released by this was not 228 (498-170) MeV then I would have to delve into the wonderful world of relativity. However, I am not sure of what options I have here. Multiplying it by gamma seems too easy. :/
For momentum we take p=mv(gamma). We need to find gamma and v. E0=mc^2 gives us the mass (m=E0/c^2). E=(gamma)mc^2 throws us another nice equation using these variables. We can plop E0=mc^2 in there to target the gamma. We then get E=(gamma)E0. or (gamma)=E/E0. But now we need to find E also.
Any help would be appreciated