Center of mass oblique collisions

[jophys]

Hi,

in terms of oblique collisions, COM frames and laboratory frames, is this statements ALWAYS true?

"The scattering angle of the first particle in the laboratory frame is half of the scattering angle in the center of mass frame."

Please elaborate if you know, thanks in advance!

 

[Andrew Mason]

I

Hi,

in terms of oblique collisions, COM frames and laboratory frames, is this statements ALWAYS true?

"The scattering angle of the first particle in the laboratory frame is half of the scattering angle in the center of mass frame."

Please elaborate if you know, thanks in advance!

Hi Jophys - welcome to PF!

This is a special case. It would be true only if the colliding masses are equal and the collisions are elastic.

AM