Until now, you have dealt with particles that do not change their identity. Changing the identity of a particle occurs when a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_fission|particle decays to another particle]] (or, typically, set of particles), or when [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_fusion|two or more particles fuse together]]. In these notes, you will read about a new unit of energy (the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronvolt|electron volt]]) and how to use energy to predict or explain particle decay.
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Until now, you have dealt with particles that do not change their identity. Changing the identity of a particle occurs when a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_fission|particle decays to another particle]] (or, typically, set of particles), or when [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_fusion|two or more particles fuse together]]. **In these notes, you will read about a new unit of energy (the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronvolt|electron volt]]) and how to use energy to predict or explain particle decay.
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==== The Electron Volt ====
==== The Electron Volt ====
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==== Example: Neutron Decay ====
==== Example: Neutron Decay ====
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[{{ 183_notes:neutron_decay.001.png?400|A neutron will spontaneously decay into a proton, electron, and an anti-neutrino.}}]
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[{{ 183_notes:week7_decay.png?400|A neutron will spontaneously decay into a proton, electron, and an anti-neutrino.}}]
As an example of the change of particle identity, consider [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron#Free_neutron_decay|decay of a neutron]] where a neutron spontaneously decays into a proton, an electron, and an [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutrino|anti-neutrino]]. A neutron is at rest and spontaneously decays, let's determine the kinetic energy available for the decay products after the decay.
As an example of the change of particle identity, consider [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron#Free_neutron_decay|decay of a neutron]] where a neutron spontaneously decays into a proton, an electron, and an [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutrino|anti-neutrino]]. A neutron is at rest and spontaneously decays, let's determine the kinetic energy available for the decay products after the decay.