Ask HN: How can a fundamental particle decompose?
5 comments
It is because they are always very energetic. This, together with random quantum behavior, allows the “energetic-muon” to decay (not decompose) into different particles (usually electron etc.).
This is a quantum effect, and it is not a decomposition but the disappearing of the muon and the appearing of the others (+ a lot of energy in between, coming and going).
An electron is an electron. However, when moving between orbitals in an atom, it “gets” a photon if it jumps “out”, it “loses” a photon when jumping “in”. But it is just an electron (with more or less energy).
This is a quantum effect, and it is not a decomposition but the disappearing of the muon and the appearing of the others (+ a lot of energy in between, coming and going).
An electron is an electron. However, when moving between orbitals in an atom, it “gets” a photon if it jumps “out”, it “loses” a photon when jumping “in”. But it is just an electron (with more or less energy).
Thank you.
I suppose the root of your confusion is in meaning of words.
With quantum mechanics there are no “real” particles to think about in terms of everyday life.
They all are just mathematical abstractions that help build models predicting the behavior of systems.
Nothing is really composed or decomposed in our everyday meaning. It’s just there are no better words to speak about such abstract concepts.
With quantum mechanics there are no “real” particles to think about in terms of everyday life.
They all are just mathematical abstractions that help build models predicting the behavior of systems.
Nothing is really composed or decomposed in our everyday meaning. It’s just there are no better words to speak about such abstract concepts.
Is a grenade composed of a rapid expansion wave, fire, and a loud bang?
If the muon is not composed of other particles, how can it end up as a set of other particles?
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muon