Chapter 37, Problem 37.38E

Creating a Particle. Two protons (each with rest mass M = 1.67 × 10⁻²⁷kg) are initially moving with equal speeds in opposite directions. The protons continue to exist after a collision that also produces an η⁰ particle (see Chapter 44). The rest mass of the η⁰ is m = 9.75 × 10⁻²⁸ kg. (a) If the two protons and the 17° are all at rest after the collision, find the initial speed of the protons, expressed as a fraction of the speed of light, (b) What is the kinetic energy of each proton? Express your answer in MeV. (c) What is the rest energy of the η⁰, expressed in MeV? (d) Discuss the relationship between the answers to parts (b) and (c).