What is the Maximum Angle of Deflection in a Particle Collision?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the maximum angle of deflection for a particle of mass M colliding with a stationary particle of mass m in the center of mass (CoM) frame. The user attempts to establish the relationship between the velocities of the particles before and after the collision, denoting them as u1, u2, u1', and u2'. They express confusion about how to sketch the four vectors representing these velocities in the CoM frame, given that the larger mass is initially at rest. The problem emphasizes the conservation of momentum in the CoM frame, which remains zero before and after the collision. The discussion highlights the complexities of visualizing and calculating the resulting velocities in different reference frames.
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Homework Statement


A particle of mass ##M## and speed ##v_1## bumps a particle of mass ##m##, ##(M >m)##, at rest. Find the maximum angle of deflection of ##M## after the bump.

The Attempt at a Solution


I would like to solve this problem in the reference frame of the center of mass, because it seems that the counts are very little :D
By definition, if I call ##u_1,u_2## the velocities of the particles in the CdM reference frame, I have ##p_{CdM}=Mu_1 -mu_2=0##. Then I call ##u_1 ',u_2 '## the velocities after the bump (the quantity of motion of Cdm is 0 also after the bump). In the image there is a sketch of the situation, with ##\phi## the scattering angle. But now I'm struggling in relating the velocities ##u_1,u_2,u_1 ',u_2 '## with the end velocities of the particles ##v_1 ', v_2'## in the frame of the laboratory. My question is: how to sketch this four vectors?
 

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In the CoM frame the masses can go in any direction. The problem asks for the frame where the larger mass is initially at rest.
 
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