Past exam of the symmetry and relativity course of the University of Oxford / 2016 / 2 / c / b

The center-of-momentum frame moves with velocity $\mathbf{V}=c^2{\mathbf{p}}_{\mathrm{tot}}/E_{\mathrm{tot}}$. Using the total four-momentum in solution givesFor $0<\theta \le \pi$, its direction bisects the two photon directions, and its speed decreases from the limiting value $c$ to zero. At $\theta =\pi$, the lab already is the center-of-momentum frame. At $\theta =0$, the formal speed is $c$ and no inertial rest frame exists; this endpoint is a limit, not an allowable boost.