Which force causes decay in resonance states?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying the force responsible for the decay of resonance states, specifically focusing on the delta 1232 resonance. Participants explore the relationship between decay modes and the interactions involved, considering both strong and electromagnetic forces.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to determine the force responsible for the decay of a resonance state based on its total width.
  • Another participant suggests that the decay mechanism depends on the specific decay products and indicates that resonance often implies a strong interaction.
  • A later reply clarifies that the delta 1232 resonance decays primarily via the strong interaction, as indicated by the decay process (uud) -> (udd) + (u anti-d), which does not involve quark flavor changes.
  • Additionally, it is noted that the decay delta1232 -> p gamma involves the electromagnetic interaction, highlighting the complexity of decay processes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the decay of the delta 1232 resonance can involve both strong and electromagnetic interactions, but there is no consensus on a singular force responsible for decay without specific decay information.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not provide specific details about the decay products or the context of the resonance state, which may limit the conclusions that can be drawn regarding the forces involved.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in particle physics, resonance states, and the interactions governing particle decay may find this discussion relevant.

Hypersquare
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Hey now!

I have just calculated the lifetime of a resonance state using its total width. I want to work out which force this decay is due to. How would one go about doing this?

Thanks
 
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To know the interaction responsible for a particular decay you have to know what the decay is, i.e. what particle(s) the particle you're looking decays into. One particle can decay in many different ways. However, since you use the word "resonance", this might be a hint that the decay is due to the strong interaction, since this is usually part of what one means by the word "resonance".

What is the specific particle and decay you're looking at?
 
Thanks fo the response Kloptok!

No such information is given. I am just told that the total width of delta 1232 resonance i 118 Mev.
 
http://pdglive.lbl.gov/Rsummary.brl?nodein=B033&inscript=Y&sub=Yr&return=BXXX010

The dominant decay is (uud) -> (udd) + (u anti-d)
No quark flavour changes are involved, therefore it can occur via the strong interaction. The broad width of the resonance is another sign of this.

Another observed decay is delta1232 -> p gamma. As you can see from the photon, the electromagnetic interaction is involved.
 
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You can find ideas here.
 

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