Maximum available energy for proton accelerators

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the maximum available energy for a proton accelerator designed to provide a 1 TeV proton beam. Participants explore different collision scenarios, including fixed targets, electron-proton collisions, proton-proton collisions, and antiproton collisions, while questioning the implications of energy utilization in these contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between maximum available energy and center of mass energy, with some attempting to apply relevant formulas for different scenarios. Questions arise regarding the energy lost in collisions and how to calculate momentum and kinetic energy in various contexts.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the energy calculations for each scenario, with participants providing insights and raising questions about the assumptions and formulas used. Some guidance has been offered regarding the relativistic momentum and energy, but no consensus has been reached on the correct interpretations or calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of calculating available energy in different collision scenarios and express uncertainty about the implications of energy loss and the conditions under which energy can be utilized for particle production.

genloz
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Homework Statement


Suppose an accelerator has been constructed to provide 1 TeV proton beam. It must be decided how to use it, There are four possibilities:
a) hit a fix target;

b) collide with a 50 GeV electron to study ep collisions;

c) collide with another proton beam also accelerated up to 1 TeV;

d)collide with an antiproton beam, made from a source of antiprotons (more difficult to obtain).

What is the maximum available energy for the production of new particles in each case? What other consideration might be important in making the decision?

Homework Equations



None given.

The Attempt at a Solution



Is the maximum available energy the same thing as the center of mass energy? In which case I thought the answer for part (d) was:

\sqrt{s}=2E<br /> s=4E^{2}<br /> s=4TeV^{2}<br />


and I found a formula for part (c) but can't work out how to apply it:
\sqrt{s}=\sqrt{(x_{a}E)(x_{b}E)}<br />


i'm still a bit stuck on the other parts...
 
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Look at the relativistic momentum and energy.

Two beams of equal energy with equal and opposite momenta will utilize all the KE in the interaction (assuming a dead on center collision).
 
So for part (a), the target hitting the wall,
all energy is lost and so the total energy of each proton is available for production?
Meaning E = \sqrt{p^{2}c^{2}+m^{2}_{0}c^{2}}<br /> <br /> E = \sqrt{p^{2}c^{2}+m^{2}_{0}c^{2}}<br /> <br /> proton rest mass = 938MeV<br /> <br /> E = \sqrt{p^{2}c^{2}+938^{2}}<br />
but how do you get the velocity to workout the momentum?

For part (b), an electron-proton collision, you are saying all the kinetic energy is used up meaning just the rest mass energy is left??

for part (c) as above?

and was part (d) incorrect?
 
I found another formula that describes the total energy available for making particles:
E=\sqrt{1+\frac{K}{2mc^{2}}}
Where K is the kinetic energy of the system beforehand...
so for part (a)
K=1TeV
m=0.000938 TeV/c^2
So E = 23 TeV

but energy can't just be generated, so where have I gone wrong? And how do I expand for the other formula?

Thanks!
 

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