Relative Mean lifetime of decays

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on comparing the mean lifetimes of two particle decays: ##\rho^0 \rightarrow \pi^+ + \pi^-## and ##\Xi^- \rightarrow \Lambda^0 + \pi^-##. It establishes that the first decay, a first interaction, has a shorter mean lifetime than the second, which is a weak interaction. The conversation also highlights that while both decays are different, in cases where both are weak interactions, lifetime comparisons can be made using quantum field theory (QFT) and potentially through established rules without complete calculations, depending on the specific circumstances.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of particle decay processes
  • Familiarity with quantum field theory (QFT)
  • Knowledge of weak interactions in particle physics
  • Basic concepts of particle mass and its implications on decay lifetimes
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of quantum field theory (QFT) in detail
  • Research the characteristics of weak interactions in particle physics
  • Examine methods for calculating particle lifetimes using mass and interaction types
  • Explore existing rules for comparing lifetimes of similar particle decays
USEFUL FOR

Particle physicists, researchers in quantum mechanics, and students studying decay processes in high-energy physics will benefit from this discussion.

Xico Sim
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Hi there.

I want to compare the mean lifetimes of two particles which decay in a way given by two known reaction formulas, such as

##\rho^0 \rightarrow \pi^+ + \pi^-## and ##\Xi^- \rightarrow \Lambda^0 + \pi^-##

In this case it's easy: since the first one corresponds to a first interaction and the second one to a weak interaction, the first one has a shorter mean lifetime. If, for instance, both were weak, could we still compare the lifetimes (using the particles mass, for example)?
 
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You can always calculate the lifetime with QFT. If two decays are similar, there might be rules to compare them without a full calculation, but that depends on the specific situation then. The two examples you have here are completely different.
 

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