Quick question on Fermi Golden Rule

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the application of the Fermi Golden Rule in particle physics, specifically addressing the relationship between momentum and energy for massless particles. The equation ##\frac{dp}{dE} = \frac{E}{p}## is confirmed, with the clarification that for massless particles B and C, their momenta equal their energies. The conservation of energy is applied, leading to the conclusion that ##E_B = E_C = \frac{E_A}{2}## and thus ##p_B = p_C = \frac{E_A}{2}##, resulting in ##\frac{dp_B}{dE} = \frac{1}{2}##. The speed of light is assumed to be unity (##c=1##) for simplification.

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  • Understanding of the Fermi Golden Rule in quantum mechanics
  • Familiarity with concepts of energy and momentum in particle physics
  • Knowledge of massless particles and their properties
  • Basic grasp of conservation laws in physics
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This discussion is beneficial for physics students, particle physicists, and anyone studying quantum mechanics, particularly those interested in the dynamics of massless particles and the Fermi Golden Rule.

unscientific
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Adopted from my lecture notes, found it a little fishy:

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Shouldn't ##\frac{dp}{dE} = \frac{E}{p}## given that ##p = \sqrt{E^2 - m^2}##. Then the relation should be instead:

\frac{dp}{dE} = \frac{E}{p} = \frac{E}{\sqrt{E^2 - m^2}}
 
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Yes, you are right but the problem tells you that B and C are massless. This means that the magnitude of their momenta is equal to their energies. In particular, conservation of energy tells you that ##E_B=E_C=E_A/2## and so ##p_B=p_C=E_A/2##, giving ##dp_B/dE=1/2##.
 
Einj said:
Yes, you are right but the problem tells you that B and C are massless. This means that the magnitude of their momenta is equal to their energies. In particular, conservation of energy tells you that ##E_B=E_C=E_A/2## and so ##p_B=p_C=E_A/2##, giving ##dp_B/dE=1/2##.
And I suppose ##c=1##?
 
Exactly.
 
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