Solve Relativistic Momentum PROBLEM - Extra Factor of u Explained

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the relativistic momentum problem involving two particles of equal mass accelerated to speed u. The correct expression for the momentum of the second particle is defined as p^1 = γ m u (-u), incorporating an additional factor of u, which was a common point of confusion. The error arose from using p^1 = γ m (-u), which does not account for the proper momentum transformation. This highlights the importance of correctly applying the 4-momentum transformations in special relativity.

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PROBLEM SOLVED - the worked example I was referring too was wrong :/
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Hello, I've been stuck on a question in one of my SR problem sets for some time now, and managed to find a worked solution to a similar problem online. I've attached an image of the problem (the missing text just says that two particles of equal mass are accelerated to a speed u).

It begins by showing that in frame S, both particles have the same energy, which is

[itex]E = \gamma m u[/itex]

It then uses the 4-momentum transformations for the second particle (the one that is moving in both frames), noting that

[itex](p^0)' = \gamma (p^0 - \frac{v}{c} (p^1)')[/itex]

But then it goes on to define [itex]p^1[/itex] as

[itex]p^1 = \gamma m u (-u)[/itex]

This is where I made the mistake in my working, I used

[itex]p^1 = \gamma m (-u)[/itex]

I don't understand why the proper momentum of the second particle has an additional factor of u associated with it. Any explanation would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.
 

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