Determine whether the following reaction is a possible decay for the neutral pion $ ext{p}^0$. $ ext{p}^0 o e^+ + ext{mu}^+ + ar{ u}_e$ State the two possible quark configurations of a $ ext{p}^0$. A student suggests that the kaon $ ext{K}^0$ and the anti-kaon $ar{ ext{K}}^0$ are the same particle. Discuss whether this suggestion is correct. The nucleus is held together by a force. It was predicted that a particle exists that is responsible for this force. The particle itself must experience this force. The particle would have a rest energy between that of an electron and half that of a nucleon. Discuss whether a kaon, a muon and a pion each have the properties of the predicted particle. Information about these three particles is in the Data and Formulae Booklet.

A-Level AQA Physics Atomic Structure & Decay Equations: Determine whether the following

Determine whether the following reaction is a possible decay for the neutral pion $ ext{p}^0$ - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 1 - 2020 - Paper 1

Question 1

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Determine whether the following reaction is a possible decay for the neutral pion $ ext{p}^0$. $ ext{p}^0 o e^+ + ext{mu}^+ + ar{ u}_e$ State the two possible q... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Determine whether the following reaction is a possible decay for the neutral pion $ ext{p}^0$ - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 1 - 2020 - Paper 1

Step 1

Determine whether the following reaction is a possible decay for the neutral pion $ ext{p}^0$

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Answer

To determine if the decay can occur, we need to check if lepton number conservation is maintained. In the reaction

u}_e,$$ we have: - Initial lepton number: 0 (neutral pion) - Final lepton number: +1 (positron) + 1 (anti-muon neutrino) - 1 (muon) = +1. Since the lepton number is not conserved (initial is 0 and final is +1), this decay is not possible.

Step 2

State the two possible quark configurations of a $ ext{p}^0$

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Answer

The neutral pion $ext{p}^0$ can have the following quark configurations:

Up quark and down quark: $uar{u}$
Down quark and up quark: $dar{d}$

Step 3

Discuss whether this suggestion is correct.

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Answer

The claim that the kaon $ext{K}^0$ and the anti-kaon $ar{ ext{K}}^0$ are the same particle is incorrect. The kaon $ext{K}^0$ has the quark content $dar{s}$ (down quark and anti-strange quark), while the anti-kaon $ar{ ext{K}}^0$ is composed of $sar{d}$ (strange quark and anti-down quark). They are distinct particles due to their differing quark content and properties such as strangeness.

Step 4

Discuss whether a kaon, a muon and a pion each have the properties of the predicted particle.

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Answer

To analyze the properties:

Kaon ( $ext{K}$ ): Its rest energy is approximately 497.762 MeV, which falls between that of an electron (0.511 MeV) and a nucleon (~938 MeV). Thus, it could exhibit the predicted properties.
Muon ( $ext{μ}$ ): Its rest energy is about 105.658 MeV, also fitting the criteria to be the predicted particle.
Pion ( $ext{π}$ ): With a rest energy of about 139.570 MeV, it too falls within the required range.

Hence, all three particles (kaon, muon, and pion) share properties consistent with the predicted particle.

Determine whether the following reaction is a possible decay for the neutral pion $ ext{p}^0$ - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 1 - 2020 - Paper 1

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Determine whether the following reaction is a possible decay for the neutral pion $ ext{p}^0$ - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 1 - 2020 - Paper 1

Determine whether the following reaction is a possible decay for the neutral pion $ ext{p}^0$

State the two possible quark configurations of a $ ext{p}^0$

Discuss whether this suggestion is correct.

Discuss whether a kaon, a muon and a pion each have the properties of the predicted particle.

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