Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department of Physics
Course: 8.701 — Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics
Term: Fall 2020
Instructor: Markus Klute
Problem Set 1
handed out September 10th, 2020
Problem 1: Particles [20 points]
Detailed information on particle properties (e.g., masses, decays, etc.) can be found in
the Particle Data Group (PDG) collection: pdg.lbl.gov (see Particle Listings). This is a
very useful resource. Let’s start to get familiar with some common particles. Look up
the following particles: π±, π0, K±, K0S , KL0 , µ±, e±, proton, and neutron. For each
particle, write down the particle’s mass, lifetime, and main decay mode (the largest
one). How far would each particle travel before decaying on average assuming its speed
is c but ignoring time dilation?
Problem 2: Pion Decay [20 points]
Charged pions, π + (π − ), can decay to electrons as well as to muons and the cor-
responding neutrinos. In this decay, the parity violation of the weak interaction is
maximal. All arguements hold for π + and π − .
a)
Prepare a sketch of the pion decay at rest noting the momentum vectors as well as
the spin of the involved particles. Using the sketch, discuss why you expect maximal
parity violation of the weak interaction in pion decays. Following this discussion,
which branching fraction is larger? Include your reasoning in the answer.
1
b)
Show the following relation for momentum and energy, assuming that neutrinos are
massless:
mπ2 − m2`
p` =
2 mπ
m + m2`
2
E` = π ,
2 mπ
with mπ = 139, 57 MeV the mass of the pion and m` = 105, 66 (0.511) MeV the
mass of the muon (electron).
Problem 3: Higgs Boson branching fractions [xx points]
The coupling of the Higgs boson to fermions is proportional to their masses. The
partial width is then proportial to the coupling squared. Calculate Higgs boson
branching fractions assuming (simplifying) that only decays to bottom and charm
quarks as well as to taus and muons are possible.
Problem 4: Discrete symmetries [20 points]
Discuss how the following properties translate under parity (P) and time reversal (T)
operations:
a)
Position vector, ~r.
b)
Momentum vector, p~.
c)
~
Angular momentum vector, L.
d)
Spin, ~s.
e)
~
Static electric field, E.
f)
~
Static magnetic Field, B.
g)
~
Potential energy of an electric dipol from particle spin in a static electric field, ~s · E.
h)
Potential energy of a magnetic dipol from particle spin in an static magnetic field,
~
~s · B.
2
Problem 5: Conservation law and interaction [20 points]
For which of the following interactions (electromagnetic, weak, and strong) do the
following conservation laws hold?
a)
Lepton number conservation.
b)
Strong isospin, T3 .
c)
Strangeness, S.
d)
Paritity conservation.
e)
CP -conservation.
3
MIT OpenCourseWare
https://ocw.mit.edu
8.701 Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics
Fall 2020
For information about citing these materials or our Terms of Use, visit: https://ocw.mit.edu/terms.
