What happens to the mass of a muon when it decays

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the mass of a muon and its transformation during the decay process, specifically focusing on the products of the decay and the nature of the energy released. The scope includes theoretical considerations and conceptual clarifications regarding particle physics and decay processes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that a muon has a mass approximately 207 times that of an electron and produces an electron and two neutrinos upon decay.
  • Several participants suggest that the mass lost during the decay is converted into energy.
  • One participant expresses curiosity about the specifics of the transformation process and the form of the energy released, questioning the absence of photon emission typically associated with energy loss during deceleration.
  • Another participant mentions finding references to photon emission related to this topic, indicating that there may be additional complexities in the decay process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the mass of the muon is converted into energy during decay, but there is uncertainty regarding the specifics of the transformation and whether photon emission occurs. Multiple views on the nature of the energy released remain present.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions about neutrino masses and the specifics of energy transformation, as well as the lack of consensus on the role of photon emission in the decay process.

Quandry
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a muon has a mass about 207 times that of an electron. When the muon decays it produces an electron and two neutrinos (simplest form). Neutrinos have minimal mass, so what happens to the rest of the mass?
 
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It goes into energy.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
It goes into energy.
Thanks, I sort of guessed that. But I was really wondering how the transformation took place and what form the energy took.
I have not found reference to photon emission which I would have expected with deceleration energy loss.
Having lost the energy equivalence of 206 electrons there must be some very substantial result.
 
Quandry said:
Thanks, I sort of guessed that. But I was really wondering how the transformation took place and what form the energy took.

The electron and the 2 neutrinos are the minimum particle emission

Quandry said:
I have not found reference to photon emission which I would have expected with deceleration energy loss.

I did find several references to photon emission the other day when looking up this subject
have a deeper google :wink:

Dave
 

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