Question 44.4: Is Strangeness Conserved? (A) Use the law of strangeness con...
Is Strangeness Conserved?
(A) Use the law of strangeness conservation to determine whether the reaction \pi^0+n \rightarrow K^{+}+\Sigma^{-} occurs.
(B) Show that the reaction \pi^{-}+p \rightarrow \pi^{-}+\Sigma^{+} does not conserve strangeness.
(A) Conceptualize We recognize that there are strange particles appearing in this reaction, so we see that we will need to investigate conservation of strangeness.
Categorize We use a conservation law developed in this section, so we categorize this example as a substitution problem.
Evaluate the strangeness for the left side of the reaction using Table 44.2:
S = 0 + 0 = 0
Evaluate the strangeness for the right side of the reaction:
S = +1 -1 = 0
Therefore, strangeness is conserved and the reaction is allowed.
(B) Evaluate the strangeness for the left side of the reaction:
S = 0 + 0 = 0
Evaluate the strangeness for the right side of the reaction:
S = 0 + (-1) = -1
Therefore, strangeness is not conserved.