Lorentz Invariance & Finding Lambda Expression

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
1 reply · 2K views
parton
Messages
79
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement



I have two four vectors v and w with [tex]v^{2} = m^{2} > 0, v_{0} > 0[/tex] and [tex]w^{2} > m^{2}, w_{0} > 0[/tex]. Now we consider a system with
[tex]w' = (w_{0}', \vec{0})[/tex] and [tex]v' = (v_{0}', \vec{v} \, ')[/tex] and in addition we consider the quantity [tex]\lambda = \vert \vec{v}' \vert \, \sqrt{ w_{0}'^{2} - m^{2}}[/tex]. Now I should find a Lorentz invariant expression of [tex]\lambda[/tex] only using the invariants [tex]v^{2}, w^{2}, vw[/tex].

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I think I've found a solution: [tex]t = \sqrt{\dfrac{(vw)^{2} - v^{2} w^{2}}{v^{2}} (v^{2} - w^{2})}[/tex].
But I'm not really sure if this "solution" is really Lorentz invariant (my problem is the square root). Could anyone confirm this solution or is there any mistake?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The square root is OK as long as what you're taking the root of is positive. I didn't check your math, but the answer should look something like this.