The discussion centers on the feasibility of selecting a rest frame for the center of momentum (CoM) of a system comprising two photons. It is established that a CoM frame can be determined when the photons travel in opposite directions, resulting in a total momentum of zero. However, when photons travel in the same direction, a CoM frame cannot be defined due to the nature of their velocities. Participants emphasize the importance of both quantitative and qualitative interpretations in understanding this phenomenon, particularly through the lens of vector analysis and the total 4-momentum of the system.
PREREQUISITESStudents of physics, particularly those studying Special Relativity, as well as educators and anyone interested in the dynamics of photon interactions and momentum conservation.
Based on the thread title, I have moved this thread to the appropriate homework forum.PeroK said:
In my opinion, I think it depends. It could be correct in some situations, like the two photons travel in the opposite direction, it is possible to find a point where the total momentum equals zero, and I think if they travek in other different directions, it also makes sense.PeroK said:
Is this homework? If so, what do you think about it?
Sorry for that, I'm new to PFPeterDonis said:
I'm not sure what you mean by "quantitative interpretations". If it is possible to find the frame you're looking for, a quantitative answer would mean actually finding it--giving an explicit mathematical construction. If it's not possible, a quantitative answer would mean finding a mathematical proof that it's not possible.sHimprinten said:
With an appropriate meaning for the term "between", yes. Can you think of what such a meaning might be? Try thinking in terms of vectors.sHimprinten said: