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Q17E

Expert-verified
Modern Physics
Found in: Page 556
Modern Physics

Modern Physics

Book edition 2nd Edition
Author(s) Randy Harris
Pages 633 pages
ISBN 9780805303087

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Short Answer

The electron mentioned in Section 12.3 for deep inelastic scattering experiments is 20GeV , and the momentum is given as .20 GeV/c Why so simple a conversion?

The momentum is given as is proved as the conversion is simple.20 GeV

See the step by step solution

Step by Step Solution

Step 2: Concept of Energy momentum relationship

The energy of the photon in terms of the speed of light c and momentum p is given as,

.E​ = pc

The relation between the electron's energy and its momentum is so simple is because the electron is moving so fast that we can consider it is a relativistic particle.

Actually, it is moving so fast that its energy from its rest mass is negligible, and we can use the energy-momentum relationship for massless particles, which is:

E​ = pc

.

Step 3: Explanation of free electron with  20 GeV

Rearrange the above equation for p.

p=Ec

Thus, an electron with 20 GeV then its momentum is given as, p=20 GeVc .

The momentum is given as P=20 GeVc is proved as the conversion is simple.

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