What Is the Minimum Energy Required for e + p -> Neutrino + Neutron?

[shahar weiss]

Homework Statement

Im being asked what is the minimum energy requiered for the process
e + p -> nutrino + nutron
assumptions are: 1. Kinetic energy of proton is much lower from his rest
mass, not true for the electron.
2. border line case is when nutrino energy is close to zero.

Homework Equations

energy and momentum conservation, pc = sqrt(E^2 - m0^2*c^4) ?

The Attempt at a Solution

i should use energy and momentum conservation but i have no idea how to
do that since i don't know what are the kinetic energies of the
proton and electron.
thank you for any help avaiable

 

[MaxwellsDemon]

You could attempt to figure out the minimum initial kinetic energy needed for the electron to overcome the repulsive force of the proton...think of it as an electric version of the escape velocity question in gravitation.

Edit: I just noticed this is in the introductory physics section...so there is probably a simpler solution to this problem...I'll give it a little more thought.

 

[shahar weiss]

since they are opposite in charge there would be a pulling force and not repulsive