Problem 12.58 Calculate the threshold (minimum) momentum the pion must have in order for the process x + p + K + to occur. The proton p is initially at rest. Use mye = 150, mxe? = 500, mpc? = 900, myc? = 1200 (all in MeV). [Hint: To formulate the threshold condition, examine the collision in the center-of-momentum frame (Prob, 12.30). Answer: 1133 MeV/c] In center-of-momentum system, threshold occurs when incident ener- O-- +% before (CM) gy is just sufficient to cover the rest energy of the resulting particles, with none “wasted” as kinetic energy. Thus, in lab system, we want oO after (CM) the outgoing K and D to have the same velocity, at threshold: KE o—- 9 co 7 Pp KY Before After Initial momentum: p,; initial energy of x: E? — p*c? = mc! = E2 = mic! + pic? ‘Total initial energy: mpc? + y/mZct+ pt. These are also the final energy and momentum: E? ~ pc? = (mg +my)?ct. nt tHe) = phe? = (mx +my)ct Bee fade FPR C+ igh + RC — pF = (mu + mx) A ‘2m, ane +o (mx + my)? = m5 — mz, (m2c2 +e = (mx + my)" = 2(n2 + m2)(mx + mz)? + ms + mb + Im2m?2 (mg + my)* ~ 2(m3, + m2)(mx + my)? + (m3 — m2)? Be = so [linac + mm) ~ 2m + m3)(mye + my)? + (m} = m2)? ° = emda Vrnxel + zee) — 2flmc2)? + (rmgc2)*| (rae? + mzet)® + [lmget)® — (mqc?)?]? = raqooay V (1700)* — 2[(900)? + (150)?] (1700)? + [(900)? - (150)2]7 alas VB.35 x 10) = (481 x 10) + (0.62 x 10") = sah5-(2.04 x 10°) = [1133 MeV/c.