Elastic relativistic collisions

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SUMMARY

In elastic relativistic collisions, momentum, energy, and angular momentum are conserved, while rest mass is not conserved. The discussion clarifies that inelastic relativistic collisions also conserve relativistic momentum, as confirmed by experiments. The conservation of energy is expressed through the equation E = √(p²c² + m²c⁴), indicating that both momentum (p) and rest mass (m) contribute to energy conservation. The analysis emphasizes that angular momentum can be considered conserved when the coordinate system's origin is at the collision point.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of relativistic physics concepts
  • Familiarity with conservation laws in physics
  • Knowledge of the equation for relativistic energy E = √(p²c² + m²c⁴)
  • Basic principles of elastic and inelastic collisions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of relativistic momentum conservation
  • Explore the implications of energy conservation in relativistic collisions
  • Investigate the differences between elastic and inelastic collisions in relativistic contexts
  • Learn about angular momentum conservation in various coordinate systems
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and researchers interested in advanced mechanics, particularly those focusing on relativistic effects in collisions.

Amith2006
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# In a perfectly elastic relativistic collision, which one of the following quantities is not conserved:
a)Momentum
b)Energy
c)Rest mass
d)Angular momentum
In non relativistic elastic collisions, energy and momentum will be conserved. But I don’t know about relativistic elastic collisions. Could anyone please clear my doubt? Can we apply the Newtonian concepts in these cases? Suppose the collision is inelastic (relativistic), then which quantity will be conserved?
 
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I'm puzzled. As far as I know, there is no way to prove conservation of momentum. However, experiments confirm that relativistic momentum is conserved in inelastic collisions (such as particle collisions). Rest mass is conserved by definition of an inelastic collision. Energy is [itex]\sqrt{p^2c^2+m^2c^4}[/itex] so it is conserved since p and m are. Regarding the angular momentum, if you take the coordinate system in which the collision is monitored to have its origin at the point of collision, then angular momentum before and after the collision are 0. So, angular momentum is conserved too.
 

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