particle conservation rules Flashcards
1
Q
Particle interaction rules
A
the following properties are conserved in particle interactions:
- momentum
- mass- energy (E = mc^2)
- charge (+,-,0)
- lepton number
- baryon number
- strangeness
2
Q
Charge conservation
A
“the total charge after an interaction is equal to the total charge before an interaction”
e. g. beta decay (n–> p + e- + v-)
- charge before= 0
- charge after= (+1) + (-1) + 0=0
3
Q
Lepton number conservation
A
“the total lepton number after an interaction is equal to the total lepton number before an interaction”
- a lepton (e.g. electron) =1
- an antilepton (e.g. antineutrino) =-1
- all other particles have lepton number =0
4
Q
Baryon number conservation
A
“the total baryon number after an interaction equals the total baryon number before an interaction”
- a baryon (e.g. neutron) =1
- an antibaryon (e.g. antiproton) =-1
- all other particles have baryon number =0
5
Q
Strangeness conserved
A
“the total strangeness after an interaction equals the total strangeness before an interaction”
- a strange particle (e.g. k+ kaon) =1
- a strange antiparticle (e.g. k- kaon) =-1
- all other particles have a strangeness =0