Re: [Phys-l] Decays

[Leigh Palmer <palmer@sfu.ca>]

On 3-Jun-06 Jack Uretsky wrote:

> Hi all-
> 	Not to disparage the ongoing sociology discussion, but I am  
> currently bemused by the following bit of physics.

First of all, good for you, Jack. Let me disparage it - to myself!

> 	Consider a decay process: A -> b + b, where A is much more massive  
> than b.  The decay amplitude is equal to some coupling constant  
> times the overlap between the A-state and the b-continuum.  The  
> overlap is proportional to the density of continuum states at  
> energy equal to the mass of the B.  I can take the view that the  
> decay is a transition from a low-entropy configuration (1 available  
> state) to a higher entropy configuration (high density of states).   
> My questions: (1) Has anyone ever seen decay processes described in  
> such language? and/or (2) Have I hypnotized myself into something  
> foolish?

I think that you have simply observed that the decay process is  
consistent with the second law of thermodynamics as well as the first  
law. That is unsurprising, of course. Were it otherwise (as it is in  
the case of a neutron decaying within a neutron star) the decay  
process would be forbidden by the second law. You have not hypnotized  
yourself, and what you observe is not foolish, but you have probably  
observed it before and forgotten about it.

Leigh