- #1
Freya
- 15
- 1
Homework Statement
Suppose that in a fixed-target proton-proton collision, the two protons are scattered with equal energies at equal angles θ/2 to the beam. Show that in the CM frame, this implies they are scattered at right angles to the direction of the beam. Calculate the energy and momentum of the scattered protons in the CM frame.
Homework Equations
E(cm)= √2mc^2(E1+mc^2) (E(cm) is the energy in the centre of momentum frame, derived using energy and momentum conservation, E1 is the energy of the initial proton beam)
E'(cm)=1/2 E(cm) (as they have equal energy after it must be half the initial centre of momentum frame energy)
The Attempt at a Solution
I can't figure out how I'm going to yield an angle from this because in theory they will be coming off at equal angles and the modulus of the 2 protons momentum after will be equal (as they are equal and opposite) so I've tried to solve using conservation of momentum perpendicular to the beam energy which would give:
|P3|sin(θ3)=|P4|sin(θ4)
where P3 and θ3 represent the scattering angle from the beam energy for one of the protons and P4, θ4 the other proton. But these would just cancel due to them being equal and opposite so the angles are equal?
Thanks in advance, I've been tearing my hair out over this for a while!