If electrons and their anti-particles positrons, with equal energies, 45.5 GeV,

Question

If electrons and their anti-particles positrons, with equal energies, 45.5 GeV, are brought in to a head-on collision, they annihilate. The energy created as a result eventually manifests as several particles. What is the maximum mass particle pair of the list below that can be created in such a collision?

A) A pair of photons, with zero mass

B) Pair of oppositely charged muon, with ~100 MeV mass

C) Pairs of neutral B mesons, with mass of about 5 GeV each

D) A pair of W Bosons with a mass of about 80 GeV each

Explanation / Answer

Rest mass of electrons and positrons =0.511MeV

Total Energy of electrons and positrons =45.5 + 45.5 = 91 GeV

Hence they have huge energy to create heavy particle pair such as neutral B mesons but not W Bosons with a mass of about 80 GeV each as it will require (80+80=160GeV)

C) Pairs of neutral B mesons, with mass of about 5 GeV each

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