Laws of conservation in special relativity

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the laws of conservation in special relativity, specifically regarding momentum and energy during particle collisions. The momentum of a proton with energy of 76.4 GeV is analyzed, with emphasis on the conservation of energy equation E + mc² = E₁ + E₂ + ... + Eₙ. Participants highlight the requirement for an even number of particles post-collision due to electric charge conservation and the necessity for two more protons than antiprotons. The conversation also touches on the center of momentum (CoM) frame, where total momentum is zero, and how this relates to minimizing energy in particle collisions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of special relativity principles
  • Familiarity with conservation laws (energy and momentum)
  • Knowledge of particle physics, specifically proton-antiproton interactions
  • Concept of the center of momentum frame in particle collisions
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn about invariant mass calculations in particle physics
  • Study the center of momentum frame and its applications in collision analysis
  • Explore energy-momentum transformations in special relativity
  • Investigate threshold energy requirements for particle-antiparticle pair production
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Students and researchers in physics, particularly those focused on particle physics, collision dynamics, and special relativity principles.

  • #31
LagrangeEuler said:
in COM frame where \vec{p}=\vec{0}
I get
2E_0=\sqrt{E_0^2+p_1'^2c^2}+\sqrt{E_0^2+p_2'^2c^2}+...+\sqrt{E_0^2+p_n'^2c^2}
\vec{0}=\vec{p}'_1+\vec{p}'_2+...+\vec{p}'_n
and it does not have sense. Where is the mistake? It is obvious that the mistake is in the equation
2E_0=\sqrt{E_0^2+p_1'^2c^2}+\sqrt{E_0^2+p_2'^2c^2}+...+\sqrt{E_0^2+p_n'^2c^2}. Could you please help me to understand where is the error?
Before the collision, the two protons are not at rest, so the total energy is ##2E'##, not ##2E_0##. After the collision, the particles are at rest, so the energy of each particle is just ##E_0##. The equation you wrote down has the initial protons at rest and the final particles all moving.
 
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  • #32
What you did in your first post (I think) is okay. Given that you are only required to compute the threshold energy to create an antiproton/proton pair (by threshold I mean you are not concerned with the kinetic energy of the pair after creating - you just need to calculate the energy required for them to exist) then your answer of 82 needs to be divided by 2 since you are dealing with pairs. At least this is what I think.
 

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