Conservation laws: Consider the decay π^o → μ^- + e⁺. This decay is A) allowed. B) forbidden because conservation of energy is violated. C) forbidden because conservation of baryon number is violated. D) forbidden because conservation of mass is violated. E) forbidden because conservation of lepton numbers is violated.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In this decay, we can see that the total lepton numbers on each side of the equation are not conserved. On the left-hand side, there is no lepton number, whereas on the right-hand side, there are two leptons (a muon and an electron). Therefore, this decay violates the conservation of lepton number and is forbidden. Conservation of energy, baryon number, and mass are not violated in this decay.

Conservation Laws: Consider the Decay πo → μ- + E+

Conservation Laws: Consider the Decay π^o → μ^- + E⁺