Uncertainty Principle: Energy of Unstable Particle?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the application of the uncertainty principle to unstable particles, specifically delta baryons. It is established that the energy associated with an unstable particle, such as a delta baryon produced at 12,300 MeV, is not solely determined by the energy at creation. The decay lifetime of particles like muons remains constant regardless of their creation energy, indicating that energy does not influence decay rates. The conversation emphasizes the need for clarity regarding the definitions of "unstable particle" and the specific energy being referenced.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics
  • Familiarity with particle physics terminology, including "unstable particle" and "mean lifetime"
  • Knowledge of muon decay processes and their characteristics
  • Basic concepts of energy measurements in particle physics, specifically MeV (mega-electronvolts)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of the uncertainty principle on particle lifetimes
  • Study the properties and decay mechanisms of delta baryons
  • Explore the relationship between energy and decay rates in unstable particles
  • Investigate the differences between various unstable particles, such as free neutrons and muons
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the behavior of unstable particles and the implications of the uncertainty principle in particle physics.

Kara386
Messages
204
Reaction score
2
For an unstable particle is it reasonable to take the uncertainty in energy as the energy it was created with? If so, why?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Kara386 said:
For an unstable particle is it reasonable to take the uncertainty in energy as the energy it was created with? If so, why?

Your question is extremely puzzling. What "energy" are you talking about when you are referring to the "uncertainty in energy"?

Secondly, muons are created in many different ways at many different energies. Yet, they have the same decay lifetime. So if you think that a muon's decay is dependent on the energy that was used to create it, then this should already answer your question.

Thirdly, what do you mean by "unstable particle"? How "unstable" are we talking about here? A free neutron is unstable. Is this part of the particle that you want to know even though its lifetime is in minutes?

There are many "baggages" surrounding this question that you have not explained.

Zz.
 
ZapperZ said:
Your question is extremely puzzling. What "energy" are you talking about when you are referring to the "uncertainty in energy"?

Secondly, muons are created in many different ways at many different energies. Yet, they have the same decay lifetime. So if you think that a muon's decay is dependent on the energy that was used to create it, then this should already answer your question.

Thirdly, what do you mean by "unstable particle"? How "unstable" are we talking about here? A free neutron is unstable. Is this part of the particle that you want to know even though its lifetime is in minutes?

There are many "baggages" surrounding this question that you have not explained.

Zz.
Apologies, I didn't really consider those things! Ok, so to clarify:
The question was prompted by an example from a lecture. A delta baryon is produced with energy of 12,300MeV and its mean lifetime is calculated using the uncertainty principle. But the uncertainty in energy used in the calculation was simply the given energy of the delta baryon.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Entropic effects of the Uncertainty Principle?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad Uncertainty Principle in QFT & Early Universe Conditions
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle and macroscopic objects
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad Question about Commutators and Uncertainty
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Undergrad Heisenberg uncertainty principle and the canonical momentum operator
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
3K
Undergrad Energy*time uncertainty for particle decay
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
1K
Undergrad Is the uncertainty principle applicable to single slit diffraction?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
High School Is the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle a result of measurement inadequacies?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Undergrad Double slit experiment and the Uncertainty Principle
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Undergrad Maxwell's Demon and the Uncertainty Principle
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K