Signed photon momenta decide whether a zero-momentum reaction closes. Exact arithmetic here means exact results for the stated model inputs; measured inputs still carry uncertainty and significant-figure limits.

highlighted = computed this step

Opposite photons cancel momentum

Output momenta 20 and -20 sum to 0; output energy is 200 J; accepted bit 1.

2020=0,E=200,a=120 - 20=0,\quad E=200,\quad a=1
Momentum cancellation rowPhoton momentum signs feed a checked reaction energy-momentum row.photonphotonphotonphotonp=20 kg*m/sE=100 Jp=-20 kg*m/sE=100 Jp=20 kg*m/sE=100 Jp=-20 kg*m/sE=100 Jaccepted

Same-direction photons fail momentum

Output momenta 20 and 20 sum to 40; output energy is 200 J; accepted bit 0.

20+20=40,E=200,a=020+20=40,\quad E=200,\quad a=0
Momentum cancellation rowPhoton momentum signs feed a checked reaction energy-momentum row.photonphotonphotonphotonp=20 kg*m/sE=100 Jp=-20 kg*m/sE=100 Jp=20 kg*m/sE=100 Jp=20 kg*m/sE=100 Jrejected

Unequal photons fail both totals

Output momenta 20 and -10 sum to 10; output energy is 150 J; accepted bit 0.

2010=10,E=150,a=020 - 10=10,\quad E=150,\quad a=0
Momentum cancellation rowPhoton momentum signs feed a checked reaction energy-momentum row.photonphotonphotonphotonp=20 kg*m/sE=100 Jp=-20 kg*m/sE=100 Jp=20 kg*m/sE=100 Jp=-10 kg*m/sE=50 Jrejected