Naive Feynman diagram question

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the interpretation of Feynman diagrams, specifically regarding the annihilation of an electron and positron to produce a quark/anti-quark pair and a gluon. It clarifies that while matter/anti-matter annihilation typically results in radiation, such as photons, the conservation laws governing these processes allow for various outcomes, including the production of gluons. The conversation emphasizes that the concept of "pure energy" is misleading, as energy manifests in different forms during particle interactions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Feynman diagrams
  • Basic knowledge of particle physics concepts such as electrons, positrons, quarks, and gluons
  • Familiarity with conservation laws in physics
  • Awareness of particle-antiparticle annihilation processes
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of gluons in quantum chromodynamics (QCD)
  • Study the principles of particle-antiparticle annihilation and its outcomes
  • Explore the conservation laws in particle physics
  • Learn about the production of photons in particle interactions
USEFUL FOR

Students and enthusiasts of particle physics, physicists interested in quantum mechanics, and anyone seeking to understand the implications of Feynman diagrams in particle interactions.

denni89627
Messages
71
Reaction score
0
I'm far from well versed in physics, but I'm trying to understand something about a Feynman diagram I saw. The diagram shows an electron and positron annihilating, and producing a quark/anti-quark pair and a gluon. I recently saw a special on the discovery channel that said matter/anti-matter annihilation produces pure energy. Does that mean q + (-q) + gluon=E, or in other words a gluon = energy?
Dennis
 
Physics news on Phys.org
There's really no such thing as "pure energy." The most common thing formed in particle/antiparticle annihilations is radiation - photons. However, any process is allowed provided it conserves certain quantities - energy, momentum, angular momentum, electric charge, baryon number, lepton number, color charge, and possibly other things that aren't coming to the top of my head.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
7K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
1K