Understanding Cross Sections and Lifetimes: Questions 3 and 4

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on solving questions 3 and 4 from a physics homework assignment related to neutrino interactions and cross sections. The user correctly identifies the flux equation as f = vνρ/m, where m is the mass of the iron nucleus, ρ is the iron density, and vν is the neutrino speed. They also derive the relationship for the number of scattered neutrinos, dN = (σνf dx/vν)N, but struggle with dimensional analysis of the cross section σν. The discussion highlights the need for further clarification on reconciling energy dimensions in cross sections.

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  • Understanding of neutrino physics and interactions
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  • Knowledge of flux equations in the context of nuclear physics
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  • Learn about dimensional analysis techniques for physical equations
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Homework Statement


In the attached file, I need some help with questions 3 and 4.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


For question 4, I get the next answers:
a. The flux is given by:
f=\frac{v_{\nu}\rho}{m} where m is the mass of the iron nucleus, rho is the iron density and v_{\nu} is the nuetrino speed.

b. If I get this right then \frac{N_{events}}{N_{particles}}=\frac{\sigma_{\nu}f dx}{v_{\nu}}, and the number of scattered nuetrinos is N(x) times this fraction, i.e:
dN= \frac{\sigma_{\nu}f dx}{v_{\nu}}N.

c. easy as well, just identifying the above constant minus a sign with lambda.

d. Here is where I am findining it hard, I need to multiply sigma_{\nu} with some constant in order to eliminate the dimensions of energy in this cross section, I don't know how to do it, any hints as to how reconcile this?

The other questions are plug-and-calculate which aren't hard.

For question 3, I am not sure how to answer this question, any hints?

Thanks in advance.
 
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