Energy of a photon absorbed by an elementary particle

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the energy of a photon absorbed by an elementary particle, which increases its mass from M to 1.01M. The initial attempt to find the energy using the mass-energy equivalence formula resulted in an energy of 0.01Mc², which contradicts the requirement that the energy must exceed this value. The participant later references additional equations, ultimately arriving at an energy of 0.01005Mc² but seeks validation and clarification on the reasoning behind the energy being greater than 0.01Mc². The conversation highlights the complexities of energy-mass relationships in particle physics.
saridy
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Homework Statement


An elementary particle of mass M completely absorbs a photon, after which its mass is 1.01M.
a) What was the energy of the incoming photon?
b) Why is that energy greater than 0.01Mc2?


Homework Equations



E = mc2 or Δm = Δ E/c2
E = γmc2

The Attempt at a Solution



The only thing I can see doing is Δm = 1.01M - M = 0.01M = E/c2
But that gives E = 0.01Mc2 , which according to part b is not the answer. How do you solve this?
 
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After further reading, I'll add these equations:
(mc2)2 = E2 - (pc)2
E = pc (for m = 0)
 
OKAY. so I got an answer of 0.01005Mc^2, so I'd appreciate if someone could check/correct that for me. I still don't know how to explain it in part b.
 

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