Why do we often need to consider the square of four momentum transfer $Q$ in scattering experiment or particle physics/cosmology instead of just the $Q$ itself?
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$\begingroup$ If physical quantities were to depend on components of $Q$, the theory wouldn’t have relativistic invariance. $\endgroup$– Prof. LegolasovCommented May 10, 2019 at 8:24
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$\begingroup$ Do you mean why not get the length of the four-vector momentum transfer, i.e. the square root of it? the way we use m and not $m^2$ ? $\endgroup$– anna vCommented May 10, 2019 at 18:31
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1 Answer
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The four-momentum of a physical system is a conserved quantity in a particular reference frame. But we need a relativistic invariant theory which doesn't depend on the choice of coordinates. The squared four-momentum is a scalar invariant, i.e., it doesn't depend on any reference frame. Thus a relativistic invariant theory requires a formulation based on invariant quantities.
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$\begingroup$ I think the question is why $q^2$ instead of $\sqrt{q^2}$. Both are Lorentz invariant. $\endgroup$– dukwonCommented May 10, 2019 at 15:01