Relativistic Collision of an Electron and a Photon

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the relativistic collision between an ultra-relativistic electron and a low-energy photon from the cosmic microwave background. The main goal is to derive the post-collision energy of the photon using the provided formula, which involves the initial energy and momentum of the electron and the energy of the photon. A participant attempts to solve the problem using the invariant energy-momentum relation but struggles to arrive at the correct answer. There is also a question regarding the assumption that the electron's rest mass remains unchanged after the collision. The thread seeks insights and suggestions for solving the problem effectively.
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Homework Statement



An ultra relativistic electron collides head on with a very low energy photon of the cosmic microwave background. No new particles are created. Show that the energy of the photon after the collision is given by:

E = [(E1+p1c)E2]/[(E1-p1c) + 2E2]

Where E1 and p1 are respectively the energy and the magnitude of the momentum of the incident electron and E2 is the energy of the initial photon.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I tried solving this by labeling the final energy and momentum of the electron E' and p' and using the invariant E^2 - c^2p^2...but couldn't get the answer out..

is it right to assume that after the collision the rest mass of the electron is the same..

i.e. E1^2 - c^2 p1^2 = E'^2 - p'^2c^2?

Thanks
 
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