Center of Momentum Energy problem

[bweinert89]

Homework Statement

Hi, I'm a bit confused about Center of Momentum Energy.

It has particles A and B collide to make C and D. It then asks to show that the CM energy of A is ((S+Ma^2-Mb^2)c^2)/(2Sqrt(S))

Homework Equations

The question gives the Mandelstam variables S=((Pa+Pb)^2)/c^2, t=((Pa-Pc)^2)/c^2, u=((Pa-Pd)^2)/c^2.

The Attempt at a Solution

I'm not quite sure what to do. I tried setting up the equation Ea+Eb = Ec+Ed where c and d only have resting energy. I square both sides and separate try to get c*Sqrt((Ma^2)c^2+Pa^2) by itself since that is what the regular Ea equals but i don't get the desired outcome on the otherside.

-Ben

 

[Jhero]

jamin

Dear Benjamin,

The center of momentum energy is a concept used in particle physics to describe the energy of a system of particles in their collective center of mass frame. In this case, we have particles A and B colliding to form particles C and D. The total energy of the system can be expressed as the sum of the individual energies of each particle in their respective rest frames. However, in this case, we are interested in the energy in the center of mass frame, which is the frame in which the total momentum of the system is zero.

To determine the center of momentum energy of particle A, we need to calculate the energy of particle A in the center of mass frame. This can be done using the Mandelstam variable S, which is defined as S=((Pa+Pb)^2)/c^2, where Pa and Pb are the momenta of particles A and B, respectively. In the center of mass frame, the total momentum of the system is zero, so we have Pa+Pb=0. This means that S=-2Pa*Pb/c^2.

To calculate the energy of particle A in the center of mass frame, we can use the formula for the energy of a particle with mass m and momentum p: E^2=m^2c^4+p^2c^2. In this case, the momentum of particle A in the center of mass frame is given by Pa=-Pb, so we have E^2=m^2c^4+(-Pb)^2c^2. Substituting this into the equation for S, we get S=-2Pa*Pb/c^2=2Pb^2/c^2. Solving for Pb, we get Pb=c*Sqrt(S/2). Substituting this into the equation for E, we get E=c*Sqrt((Ma^2)c^2+S/2). This is the energy of particle A in the center of mass frame.

To get the desired outcome, we need to simplify this expression. First, we can use the fact that S=((Pa+Pb)^2)/c^2 to rewrite the equation as E=c*Sqrt((Ma^2)c^2+Pa^2). We can then use the fact that Pa=c*Sqrt(S/2) to rewrite the equation as E=c*Sqrt((Ma^2)c^2+c^2*S/2). Finally,