Electron and Positron Annihilation

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves the annihilation of an electron traveling at 0.8c with a positron at rest, resulting in the production of two photons. Participants are exploring the energy of the photons produced in this interaction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply conservation of momentum and energy to find the energy of the photons, but questions the assumption that both photons have the same momentum. Other participants suggest analyzing the problem in a reference frame where total momentum is zero and mention the use of four-vectors.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing guidance on different approaches, such as using the center of mass frame and four-vectors. There is no explicit consensus on the method to solve the problem yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating assumptions about momentum conservation and the reference frames involved in the annihilation process. The original poster expresses uncertainty about their approach and seeks clarification on the resolution.

Krappy
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Homework Statement



An electron traveling at 0.8c annihilates with a positron that is at rest, producing two photons. One of the produced photons travels in the direction of the electron. Determine the energy of each of the photons.

Homework Equations



p_{photon} = \frac{E}{c}

P_{electron} = \frac{m_e v}{\sqrt{1-v^2/c^2}}

The Attempt at a Solution



p_i = p_f

\frac{m_e v}{\sqrt{1-v^2/c^2}} = 2p_{photon}

E = \frac{m_e 0.9 c^2}{2 \sqrt{1-0.81}} = 8.46 \times 10^{-14} JFirst of all, I already searched about this frequent topic, but didn't manage to solve the issues. My "issue" is regarding the final momentum. I assume that both photons will have the same momentum, but I don't think that's right.

Thank You ;)
 
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No, it isn't right. I suppose you mean you assumed that both photons will have the same magnitude of momentum, though? That's only true if the total momentum is zero. You could analyze the problem in a reference frame where that is true.
 
Yes, sorry, I meant the same magnitude.

Now I tried to solve this with using both Energy and Momentum conservation and it gave me something like 10^19 eV. But I think there's an easier way to solve it. Could you please post your resolution?

Regards
 
Last edited:
Do you know how to use four-vectors?
 
Go to the center of mass frame. Solve the problem, and transform back.
 

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