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| 183_notes:rest_mass [2014/10/14 13:23] – [Example: Neutron Decay] caballero | 183_notes:rest_mass [2021/05/06 20:02] (current) – [Example: Neutron Decay] stumptyl |
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| ===== Change of Rest Mass Energy ===== | ===== Change of Rest Mass Energy ===== |
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| Until now, you have dealt with particles that do not change their identity. Changing the identity of a particle occurs when a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_fission|particle decays to another particle]] (or, typically, set of particles), or when [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_fusion|two or more particles fuse together]]. In these notes, you will read about a new unit of energy (the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronvolt|electron volt]]) and how to use energy to predict or explain particle decay. | Until now, you have dealt with particles that do not change their identity. Changing the identity of a particle occurs when a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_fission|particle decays to another particle]] (or, typically, set of particles), or when [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_fusion|two or more particles fuse together]]. **In these notes, you will read about a new unit of energy (the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronvolt|electron volt]]) and how to use energy to predict or explain particle decay. |
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| ==== The Electron Volt ==== | ==== The Electron Volt ==== |
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| ==== Example: Neutron Decay ==== | ==== Example: Neutron Decay ==== |
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| [{{ 183_notes:neutron_decay.001.png?400|A neutron will spontaneously decay into a proton, electron, and an anti-neutrino.}}] | [{{ 183_notes:week7_decay.png?400|A neutron will spontaneously decay into a proton, electron, and an anti-neutrino.}}] |
| As an example of the change of particle identity, consider [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron#Free_neutron_decay|decay of a neutron]] where a neutron spontaneously decays into a proton, an electron, and an [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutrino|anti-neutrino]]. A neutron is at rest and spontaneously decays, let's determine the kinetic energy available for the decay products after the decay. | As an example of the change of particle identity, consider [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron#Free_neutron_decay|decay of a neutron]] where a neutron spontaneously decays into a proton, an electron, and an [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutrino|anti-neutrino]]. A neutron is at rest and spontaneously decays, let's determine the kinetic energy available for the decay products after the decay. |
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