Pair-Production problems

  • Thread starter PhyzicsOfHockey
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  • #1

Homework Statement



How much photon energy would be required to produce a proton-antiproton pair? Give the answer in SI units.

Homework Equations



E^2=p^2c^2+m^2c^4
E=pc+pc
p=mc
E=2*m*c^2

The Attempt at a Solution



I seem to be confused I know the KE would be zero I also know this would not exist in real life but I need to find the min energy so KE of the photon pairs is 0. I am not sure if the equation has to do with the mass of a photon or the momentum of the photons. In either case I don't know what the mass of a photon would be. I read it was zero but can't figure out how to use this formula then.
 

Answers and Replies

  • #2
ok... mass of a photon is zero... I think we all know that. But its momentum is not... we can agree on that too I think. Now, your key equation is
[tex]E^2=p^2 c^2+m^2 c^4[\tex]
where m here is the rest mass of your particle, p is its momentum and E is its total energy. To do your question: remember 4-momentum is conserved...etc
 

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