Positronium Decay: Find Momentum of Gamma Rays

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the momentum of gamma rays resulting from positronium decay, specifically demonstrating that the momentum magnitude for each gamma ray is equal to m0c, where m0 is the mass of the electron. The relevant equations include E = √(p²c² + m²c⁴) and p = hν/v. The solution approach involves applying conservation of momentum, leading to the conclusion that the momentum for each gamma ray can be expressed as pi = hν/c, which aligns with the expected result when using the correct velocity of light, c, instead of v.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of positronium decay and its properties
  • Familiarity with the concepts of momentum and energy conservation
  • Knowledge of the equations relating energy, momentum, and mass in relativistic physics
  • Basic grasp of photon properties and their relationship to frequency and momentum
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of conservation of momentum in particle physics
  • Learn about the properties of positronium and its decay mechanisms
  • Explore the derivation of the energy-momentum relation E = √(p²c² + m²c⁴)
  • Investigate the relationship between frequency (ν) and momentum (p) for photons
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, particularly those focusing on particle physics, quantum mechanics, or anyone studying the properties and behaviors of gamma rays and positronium decay.

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Homework Statement



Consider positronium decay. Show the magnitude of the momentum for each gamma ray is m_0c where m_0 is the mass of the electron.

Homework Equations



E=\sqrt{p^2c^2+m^2c^4}, p=h\nu/v

The Attempt at a Solution



I'm not sure how to start this one, though I suspect the solution is elementary. Should I use conservation of energy or momentum or both? Are the above equations relevant? I come from a mathematics background, not a physics background, so problems which require "energy considerations" still confuse me.
 
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Here's a first attempt: we use conservation of momentum and find |p_{\text{before}}|=|p_{\text{after}}| \Rightarrow 2\gamma m_0v =2\gamma h\nu / c \Rightarrow m_0v=h\nu/c = |p_i| for each gamma ray p_i where the last inequality is from a previous exercise which asks us to show this for each photon. So I end up with *almost* the solution except I have v instead of c. Where did I go wrong?
 

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