Paper 4, Section II, A
(a) Write down expressions for the relativistic 3 -momentum and energy of a particle of rest mass and velocity . Show that these expressions are consistent with
Define the 4-momentum for such a particle and obtain by considering the invariance properties of .
(b) Two particles, each with rest mass and energy , moving in opposite directions, collide head on. Show that it is consistent with the conservation of 4 -momentum for the collision to result in a set of particles of rest masses (for only if
(c) A particle of rest mass and energy is fired at a stationary particle of rest mass . Show that it is consistent with the conservation of 4 -momentum for the collision to result in a set of particles of rest masses (for ) only if
Deduce the minimum frequency required for a photon fired at a stationary particle of rest mass to result in the same set of particles, assuming that the conservation of 4 -momentum is the only relevant constraint.