Particles and Radiation Flashcards
Charge of a Proton
+1.6 x 10⁻¹⁹
Charge of a Neutron
0
Charge of an Electron
-1.6 x 10⁻¹⁹
Mass of a Proton
1.67 x 10⁻²⁷
Mass of a Neutron
1.67 x 10⁻²⁷
Mass of an Electron
9.11 x 10⁻³¹
Photon Energy
E = hf Energy = plancks constant x frequency of light
Plancks Constant
6.63 x 10⁻³⁹ Js
Minimum energy need for pair production
Eₘᵢₙ = 2E₀ E₀ = rest energy of particle type produced
What is a baryon
Protons and neutrons are both baryons. All baryons (except a free proton) can be unstable. All baryons eventually decay to a proton. The baryon number must remain the same in interactions.
What is a meson
Mesons interact with baryons via strong force. All mesons are unstable. There are two types, Pions and Kaons
What is a lepton
Leptons are fundamental particles and they don’t feel strong nuclear force. They interact via weak interaction (and electromagnetic force if charged). Electrons are stable leptons, muons are unstable leptons and decay into electrons. They both come with their own neutrino which only takes part in weak interactions
Define a nucleon
A proton or a neutron in the nucleus
Define an isotope
Isotopes are atoms with the same number of protons and different numbers of neutrons
Define the term specific charge
The ratio of the charge of a particle to its mass
How do you calculate specific charge
charge divided by mass
Name the force that holds nuclei together
Strong nuclear force