The collisions of cosmic-ray particles with the Earth's atmosphere often produce muons that subsequently decay into an electron and two neutrinos according to the reaction
μ^− → e^− + vμ + ve.
What is the maximum possible kinetic energy of the electron? Assume the muon is at rest just before it decays and the masses of the neutrinos are negligible.
μ^− → e^− + vμ + ve.
What is the maximum possible kinetic energy of the electron? Assume the muon is at rest just before it decays and the masses of the neutrinos are negligible.
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E=mc^2
E(Mproduct - Mreactant)c^2
muon: 105.7MeV/c^2
electron: 0.511MeV/c^2
E = (0.511MeV − 105.7MeV) = −105.189MeV
The negative just shows that the reaction will proceed as shown. So we know 105.189MeV of energy is given to the electron as kinetic energy.
E(Mproduct - Mreactant)c^2
muon: 105.7MeV/c^2
electron: 0.511MeV/c^2
E = (0.511MeV − 105.7MeV) = −105.189MeV
The negative just shows that the reaction will proceed as shown. So we know 105.189MeV of energy is given to the electron as kinetic energy.