Finding the Centre of Mass Speed for a High and Low Energy Photon Collision

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the speed of the center of mass (CM) in a photon collision that produces an electron-positron pair. The threshold energy for this process is established at 261 GeV. The user attempts to apply conservation of energy and the equation E=γmc² to derive the CM speed but consistently arrives at the speed of light (c), which raises concerns about the validity of this result. The user seeks clarification on whether obtaining c as the CM speed is acceptable in this context. The conversation emphasizes the importance of accurately applying relativistic principles to determine the correct CM speed in high-energy photon interactions.
albega
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Homework Statement


High energy photon of energy E collides with a low energy photon of energy 1eV. It forms an electron-positron pair. I have found the threshold energy as E=261GeV.

I am asked to find the speed of the centre of mass at this threshold energy.

Homework Equations


E=γmc2

The Attempt at a Solution


I can use conservation of energy to get the energy of the electron (or positron) say then use the above formula to find v from γ. I believe this then should be the CM speed. However it returns c. I don't believe that this is an acceptable solution (I don't have the answers though). Any thoughts would be helpful, thanks.
 
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albega said:

Homework Statement


High energy photon of energy E collides with a low energy photon of energy 1eV. It forms an electron-positron pair. I have found the threshold energy as E=261GeV.

I am asked to find the speed of the centre of mass at this threshold energy.

Homework Equations


E=γmc2

The Attempt at a Solution


I can use conservation of energy to get the energy of the electron (or positron) say then use the above formula to find v from γ. I believe this then should be the CM speed. However it returns c. I don't believe that this is an acceptable solution (I don't have the answers though). Any thoughts would be helpful, thanks.

I realize it may be a bit vague. Just in case, the full question is

A high-energy photon γ1 of energy E traveling through space interacts with an
infra-red photon γ2 of energy 1 eV to produce an electron-positron pair via the reaction
γ12→e-+e+
By considering the total energy and the total momentum show that the threshold value of E required for this process is 261 GeV.

What is the velocity of the centre of mass at this threshold?

I have the 261GeV, but can only get speed c for the second bit (as outlined in my original post).
 
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