Reaction between photon and proton

In summary, a high energy proton can collide with a photon from the cosmic microwave background to produce a charged pion and a neutron. The minimum energy of the proton in eV necessary for this reaction to occur is determined by the energy equivalence of the photon, which has a temperature of 3 K. The energies of the neutron and pion must also be taken into consideration.
  • #1
programmer1115
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A high energy proton can collide with a photon to produce a charged pion and a neutron. If the photon comes from the cosmic microwave background and has an energy equivalent to a temperature of 3 K, what is the minimum energy of the proton in eV necessary to allow this reaction?

I'm thinking about momentum of a photon and stuff.. is my approach correct ? if not what should be done ?
 
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  • #2
So the reaction is:
[tex]p^+ + ph \rightarrow pion + n^0[/tex]

The energy of the left handside must not be less, than that of the right handside, so you'll just have to look up the energies of the neutron and pion (zero velocity).
 

1. What is a photon and a proton?

A photon is a fundamental particle of light with zero mass and energy that travels in a wave-like manner. A proton is a positively charged subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

2. Can a photon and proton interact with each other?

Yes, a photon and proton can interact with each other through the process of scattering. This interaction can result in the transfer of energy and momentum between the two particles.

3. How does the interaction between a photon and proton affect the proton?

The interaction between a photon and proton can result in the proton gaining energy and momentum, causing it to move in a different direction or even break apart.

4. Can the reaction between a photon and proton be observed?

Yes, the reaction between a photon and proton can be observed through various experimental techniques such as particle accelerators and detectors.

5. What are the potential applications of studying the reaction between a photon and proton?

Studying the reaction between a photon and proton can provide valuable insights into the fundamental workings of matter and energy. It also has applications in fields such as nuclear energy, medical imaging, and particle therapy.

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