Photon decay into Electron and Positron

TheRedDragon
Messages
2
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Show that the energy momentum conservation forbids the reaction (gamma)-> positron + electron,

Gamma is a photon, which is chargeless and massless

Homework Equations



E(photon)=hf
p(photon)=hf/c
Conservation of Energy
Conservation of Momentum
4-momentum

The Attempt at a Solution



My intuition is just to state that a massless and chargeless particle cannot create two particles with mass and charge. Is this correct?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Nope.
 
Thread 'Need help understanding this figure on energy levels'

Thread 'Need help understanding this figure on energy levels'

This figure is from "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics" by Griffiths (3rd edition). It is available to download. It is from page 142. I am hoping the usual people on this site will give me a hand understanding what is going on in the figure. After the equation (4.50) it says "It is customary to introduce the principal quantum number, ##n##, which simply orders the allowed energies, starting with 1 for the ground state. (see the figure)" I still don't understand the figure :( Here is...
View full post »
Thread 'Understanding how to "tack on" the time wiggle factor'

Thread 'Understanding how to "tack on" the time wiggle factor'

The last problem I posted on QM made it into advanced homework help, that is why I am putting it here. I am sorry for any hassle imposed on the moderators by myself. Part (a) is quite easy. We get $$\sigma_1 = 2\lambda, \mathbf{v}_1 = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} \sigma_2 = \lambda, \mathbf{v}_2 = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} \sigma_3 = -\lambda, \mathbf{v}_3 = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} \\ -1/\sqrt{2} \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} $$ There are two ways...
View full post »

Similar threads

Find the energy of a photon after this annihilation process
Replies
14
Views
4K
How Does Special Relativity Affect Photon Emission Angles?
Replies
4
Views
2K
I How often would a ϕ meson decay to a electron-positron pair?
Replies
2
Views
2K
Can a SINGLE photon produce an electron-positron pair?
Replies
4
Views
6K
Beam current of positrons and electrons
Replies
5
Views
2K
A Why KE of Annihilation Electrons Differs?
Replies
11
Views
2K
Consider the hypothetical decay of the Φ(1020) meson into 3 pions
Replies
4
Views
2K
I How does a photon interact with the EM field of a nucleus?
Replies
14
Views
2K
How Do Gamma Rays Result from Electron-Positron Annihilation?
Replies
11
Views
2K
Neutral Pion Mass from Its Decay into Two Photons
Replies
6
Views
5K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top