- #1
TristanRE
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Homework Statement
A mass m moving at speed 4c/5 collides with another mass m at rest. The collision produces a photon with energy E traveling perpendicular to the original direction, and a mass M traveling in another direction. In terms of E and m, what is M? What is the largest value of E (in terms of m) for which this setup is possible?
Homework Equations
p=Ymv
E=Ymc^2
(E^2-P^2c^2)_before = (E^2-P^2c^2)_after
The Attempt at a Solution
I tried using momentum only, and I get the calculation of p_x=4/3mc, p_y=-E/c (I used four momenta) so now this doesn't give me much to go on alone since I'm looking for M first. I tried using equation 3 but it becomes so convoluted I'm not sure how that could help me with the answer at all.
Any suggestions?