Relativity - proton-proton collision

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the maximum mass of particle X produced in proton-proton and electron-proton collisions using invariant mass principles. For the proton-proton collision, the invariant mass equation E² - P²c² is applied, leading to the conclusion that the center of mass energy W can be expressed as W² = (T + 2m₀)² - p². In the electron-proton collision scenario, the maximum mass of X is derived from the equation E² + 2Emₚc² + mₚ²c⁴ - (E² - mₑ²c⁴) = (mₑ + mₚ + mₓ)²c⁴, resulting in a calculated mass of mₓ = 2265 MeV when T = 5000 MeV.

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alfredbester
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A Proton, [tex]m_{1}[/tex] with Kinetic energy T = 200MeV strikes a stationary proton in the lab frame.
p + p -> p + p + X

what is the maximum mass of X, which can be produced.

I think I need to make use of [tex]E^2 - P^2 c^2[/tex] is invariant.
and
In S: [tex]E = (m_{1} + m_{0})c^2 , p = p_{1}[/tex]
In S ' :

[tex]E^2 - P^2 c^2 = E^2_{1}+ 2m_{0}E_{1}c^2 + m^2_{0}c^4 -T^2 (1) where E_{1} = T + m_{0}c^2[/tex]
I'm not sure what is happening in the centre of mass frame, I thought that the particle would have maximum mass when there was zero K.E i.e [tex]E' = (2m_{0} + m_{x})c^2, p' = 0[/tex] in the lab frame but I got lost when I tried to equate this with (1).
 
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Find the center of mass energy W, using W^2=(T+M+M)^2-p^2.
This can be solved to T in terms of W. Then W=2M+X will give T.
 
Thanks.

I have a similar question, for electron-proton collision and I'll try to post my full working as I'm not really sure on these problems at all. Could someone check my answer please.

An electron with with total energy E collides with a proton at rest
e + p -> e + p + X, find the maximum possible mass of X making use of invariants.
Masses quoted are all rest masses.

[tex]P_{0} = E / c, p^2 = -m^2 c^2[/tex]
[tex]E_{t} = E + m_{p}c^2 , |p_{t}| = sqrt[{(E^2 / c^2) + m^2_{e}c^2}][/tex]

[tex]E^2_{t} - |p_{t}|^2 c^2 = (m_p + m_e + m_x)^2 c^4[/tex]
Therefore
[tex]E^2 + 2Em_{p}c^2 + m^2_{p}c^4 - (E^2 - m^2_{e}c^4) = <br /> (m^2_{e} + m^2_{p} + m^2_{x} + 2m_{e}m_{p} + 2m_{e}m_{x} + 2m_{p}m_{x})c^4[/tex]

Factoring:
[tex]m^2_{x} + 2m_{x}(m_{e}+m_{x}) + 2m_{e}m_{p} = 2Em_{p}c^{-2}[/tex]
[tex]E = T + m_{e}c^2 <br /> => m^2_{x} + 2m_{x}(m_{e}+m_{p}) + 2m_{e}m_{p} = 2[Tm_{p}c^{-2} + m_{e}m_{p}]<br /> => m^2_{x} + 2m_{x}(m_{e}+m_{p}) - 2Tm_{p} = 0[/tex]
multipled the above by [tex]c^2[/tex], so I can use masses in MeV.

If the initial kinetic energy, T, of the electon is T = 5000meV, [tex]m_{e}[/tex] = 0.511 MeV, [tex]m_{p}[/tex]. Plugging into a quadratic I get [tex]m_{x}[/tex] = 2265MeV. Is this realistic?
 
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