The reaction $\mu$^- $\to$ e^- + $ \bar{v}_{\mathrm{e}} $ + $ \bar{v}_{\mu}$ conserves A)muon lepton number but not electron lepton number. B)electron lepton number but not muon lepton number. C)neither muon lepton nor electron lepton number. D)both muon and electron lepton numbers. E)None of these is correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The reaction involves the creation and annihilation of a muon (represented by the symbol μ) and an electron (represented by the symbol e). Lepton number is a conserved quantity in particle interactions, where each lepton (i.e. the electron and the muon) has a corresponding antilepton (i.e. the electron neutrino and the muon neutrino). Since the reaction involves both an electron and a muon, the conservation of both muon lepton number and electron lepton number is necessary. Therefore, the correct answer is D - both muon and electron lepton numbers are conserved.

The Reaction μ\muμ - →\to→ E- vˉe \bar{v}_{\mathrm{e}} vˉe​ vˉμ \bar{v}_{\mu}vˉμ​ Conserves A)muon Lepton Number but Not Electron Lepton Number

The Reaction $\mu$ ^- $\to$ E^- $\bar{v}_{\mathrm{e}}$ $\bar{v}_{\mu}$ Conserves
A)muon Lepton Number but Not Electron Lepton Number