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warfreak131
Sep29-10, 09:26 PM
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Suppose one photon has an energy of 200 MeV and it is traveling along the x-axis. Suppose another has an energy of 100 MeV and is traveling along the y-axis. (A) What is the total energy of this system. (The answer is 300 MeV) (B)If a single particle has this same energy and momentum, what would be its mass?

The answer is 200 MeV, I am having trouble reaching that answer.

2. Relevant equations

p=\frac{E}{c} for a photon
p={\gamma}mu for a particle with mass
E=cp for a photon
E={\gamma}mc^{2} for a moving particle with mass.

3. The attempt at a solution

Energy of the photon = energy of the moving particle:
cp={\gamma}mc^{2}
300 MeV={\gamma}mc^{2}

Momentum of the photon = momentum of the moving particle:
\frac{E}{c}={\gamma}mu
\frac{300 MeV}{c}={\gamma}mu

This is all I can do so far, after this I get stuck. If I continue, I get the result that u=c. The correct answer is u=.74c

betel
Sep30-10, 04:30 AM
The total momentum of the system of the two photons is not 300 MeV. Momentum is a vector so you have to add the vectors in the correct way.