Griffiths Introduction to Elementary Particles · Problem 3.10

Symmetries — David J. Griffiths

Physics — QFT · relativistic-energy-momentum-conservation

Problem

Consider a collision in which particle AA (with mass mAm_A and proper velocity ηA\eta_A) hits particle BB (mass mBm_B, proper velocity ηB\eta_B), producing particle CC(mCm_C, ηC\eta_C) and particle DD(mDm_D, ηD\eta_D). Suppose that (relativistic) energy and momentum are conserved in system SS (i.e., pAμ+pBμ=pCμ+pDμp_A^\mu + p_B^\mu = p_C^\mu + p_D^\mu). Using the Lorentz transformations (3.7), show that (relativistic) energy and momentum are *also* conserved in S′S'. (Do *not* assume that mass is conserved—in general, it is not: mA+mB≠mC+mDm_A + m_B \neq m_C + m_D.)

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