Relativistic Particle Decay: Strong, EM, Weak, or Gravitational Interactions?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a relativistic particle that travels a specific distance before decaying, with participants exploring which fundamental interaction dominates the decay process: strong, electromagnetic, weak, or gravitational interactions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the time taken for the particle to travel the given distance using the assumption of relativistic speed, leading to a timescale associated with weak interactions. Questions arise regarding the application of time dilation without a specified velocity.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the original poster's reasoning, questioning the assumptions made about time dilation and the implications of relativistic speeds. There is an exploration of the relationship between the particle's speed and the observed decay time, indicating a productive direction in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted lack of specific velocity information, which participants highlight as a constraint in determining the correct interaction governing the decay process.

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Homework Statement


A relativistic particle travels a length of 3*10^-3 m before decaying.The decay process of this particle is dominated by...

(a)Strong interactions
(b)EM interactions
(c)weak interactions
(d)gravitational interactions.

Homework Equations




The Attempt at a Solution



Since the question says the particle is relativistic, i took its velocity = c
then,
t = x/v = 10-11
which is the timescale for weak interactions.

But the text says the answer is strong interaction.
Then wheres the mistake?
 
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Did you take into account time dilation?
 
How can i apply time dilation when velocity is not given?
 
Good question. Depending on how close to the speed of light the particle travels at, the 10-11 seconds in the lab frame could correspond to an arbitrarily short time interval in the particle's rest frame. I think you need more information to solve the problem.
 

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