- #1
yup790
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Homework Statement
Homework Equations
et Em and pm be the energy and momentum of the mass m after the collision. Let p and p' be the momentum of mass M before and after the collision.
From conservation of 4 momentum:
[tex] \begin{bmatrix}E+m \\ p\end{bmatrix}=\begin{bmatrix}E_m+E' \\ p'+p_m\end{bmatrix}[/tex]
We also have our invariants
E2-p2=M2, etc.
The Attempt at a Solution
Squaring the 4-vectors we get: [tex]E^2+2Em+m^2-p^2=E'^2+2E'E_m+E_m^2-p'^2-2p_mp'-p_m^2[/tex]
Using our invarients, this becomes:
[tex]M^2+m^2 + 2Em=m^2+m^2+2(E'E_m-p'p_m)
\implies Em=E'E_m-p'p_m
[/tex]
now, using the conservation of energy and momentum:
[tex]E_m=E+m-E'[/tex] & [tex]p_m=p-p'[/tex]
Substituting these in and using our invarient again gets us:
[tex]Em=E'(E+m)-p'p-M^2[/tex]
I have tried setting [tex]p=\sqrt{E^2-M^2}[/tex]however its gets so algebraically heavy. Is there an easier way??