Relativistic collisions - different frames, threshold energy

In summary, the conversation is about finding various energies and determining if certain conditions are acceptable in different frames of reference. It involves using equations and assumptions to solve for the threshold energy required to create an electron-positron pair, the energy of a photon in an electron's rest frame, the back-scattered energy of a photon in the same frame, and the kinetic energy of the electron in the same frame.
  • #1
unscientific
1,734
13

Homework Statement



(a) Show that E2 - p2c2 is a Lorentz invariant, where E is the total energy, p is the momentum, c is speed of light.

(b) In the lab frame, an utlra-relativistic electron with γ = 100 collides head-on with a photon of energy E. Find the threshold energy E required to create an electron-positron pair.

(c) In another head-on collision with the same setup, the path of the photon is reversed. Find the photon's energy in the electron's rest frame.

(d) Find the back-scattered energy of the photon in the same frame.

(e) Find the KE of the electron in the same frame.

(f) Find the back-scattered energy of photon in LAB frame.

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Homework Equations






The Attempt at a Solution


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  • #2
Any help would be very appreciated!
 
  • #3
unscientific said:
Any help would be very appreciated!

Help would be more forthcoming if you said where it's needed.
 
  • #4
clamtrox said:
Help would be more forthcoming if you said where it's needed.


Part (d): Is it alright to assume the electron remains stationary throughout the collision (Like a tennis ball rebounding against the wall)

Part(e): I'm not sure if this is a trick question, but in the elctron's frame, shouldn't it's own KE = 0?
 
  • #5
bumpp
 
  • #6
anyone?
 

Related to Relativistic collisions - different frames, threshold energy

1. What is a relativistic collision?

A relativistic collision is a type of collision that occurs between particles at high speeds, close to the speed of light. This type of collision takes into account the effects of special relativity, which states that the laws of physics are the same for all observers moving at a constant velocity.

2. How do different frames affect relativistic collisions?

In relativistic collisions, the laws of physics appear differently to observers in different frames of reference. This is because the relative motion of the particles involved in the collision can affect the measurements and observations made by different observers.

3. What is the threshold energy in a relativistic collision?

The threshold energy in a relativistic collision is the minimum amount of energy required for a reaction to take place. This energy is determined by the masses of the particles involved and the speed at which they are colliding.

4. Can a collision be considered relativistic if the particles have very high but not equal speeds?

Yes, a collision can still be considered relativistic if the particles involved have very high speeds, even if they are not equal. However, the effects of special relativity will become more significant as the speeds of the particles approach the speed of light.

5. How does special relativity impact the outcomes of relativistic collisions?

Special relativity can affect the outcomes of relativistic collisions by altering the measurements and observations made by different observers in different frames of reference. This can result in different interpretations of the same event, leading to different conclusions about the outcomes of the collision.

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