A proton-proton collision is performed at a particle accelerator, and the following interaction is investigated:
p+p→p+Λ0+K+ \text{p} + \text{p} \to \text{p} + \Lambda^0 + \text{K}^+ p+p→p+Λ0+K+Λ0\Lambda^0Λ0 is a neutral lambda baryon with a strangeness of −1-1−1, and K+\text{K}^+K+ is a positive kaon with a strangeness of +1+1+1.
The classifications and conservation laws of these particles can be used to analyze such interactions.
Identify the classifications of each particle by completing the table below. Place a tick (✓\checkmark✓) in the appropriate boxes for each particle.
| Particle | Baryon | Hadron | Lepton | Meson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| μ+\mu^+μ+ | ||||
| n\text{n}n | ||||
| π+\pi^+π+ | ||||
| Σ+\Sigma^+Σ+ |
A conservation rule predicts that the following interaction cannot occur via the strong interaction:
p+p→p+Λ0+π+ \text{p} + \text{p} \to \text{p} + \Lambda^0 + \pi^+ p+p→p+Λ0+π+State the conservation rule and explain your answer.
One way in which the neutral Sigma baryon decays is via the electromagnetic interaction:
Σ0→Λ0+γ \Sigma^0 \to \Lambda^0 + \gamma Σ0→Λ0+γCompare the rest energies of the particles involved in this decay.
The decay of a positive pion (π+\pi^+π+) eventually leads to the production of high-energy gamma photons in surrounding matter. Explain why.
The existence of the Higgs boson was predicted theoretically in 1964, but its experimental confirmation at CERN was not announced until 2012. Suggest why progress in experimental particle physics requires such long timescales.
