Typical measurements of the mass of a subatomic delta particle ( $\left.m \approx 1230 \mathrm{MeV} / c^{2}\right)$ are shown in Figure $\mathrm{P5} .26$. Although the lifetime of the delta is much too short to measure directly, it can be calculated from the energy-time uncertainty principle. Estimate the lifetime from the full width at half-maximum of the mass measurement distribution shown.
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The energy-time uncertainty principle is given by $\Delta E \Delta t \geq \hbar/2$, where $\Delta E$ is the uncertainty in energy, $\Delta t$ is the uncertainty in time, and $\hbar$ is the reduced Planck constant. Show more…
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Typical measurements of the mass of a subatomic delta particle $\left(m \approx 1230 \mathrm{MeV} / c^{2}\right)$ are shown in Figure $\mathrm{P} 5.26$ Although the lifetime of the delta is much too short to measure directly, it can be calculated from the energy-time uncertainty principle. Estimate the lifetime from the full width at half-maximum of the mass measurement distribution shown. Figure P5.26 Histogram of mass measurements of the delta particle.
A subatomic particle created in an experiment exists in a certain state for a time of $\Delta t=7.4 \times 10^{-20}$ s before decaying into other particles. Apply both the Heisenberg uncertainty principle and the equivalence of energy and mass (see Section 28.6$)$ to determine the minimum uncertainty involved in measuring the mass of this short-lived particle.
Penny R.
A subatomic particle created in an experiment exists in a certain state for a time of $\Delta t=7.4 \times 10^{-20} \mathrm{~s}$ before decaying into other particles. Apply both the Heisenberg uncertainty principle and the equivalence of energy and mass (see Section 28.6) to determine the minimum uncertainty involved in measuring the mass of this shortlived particle.
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