Calculating the Distance Traveled by a Charged Pimeson in Relativistic Mechanics

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the distance traveled by a charged pimeson in the context of relativistic mechanics, specifically addressing its lifetime and kinetic energy. The original poster presents two parts of a problem related to the pimeson's travel distance in different reference frames.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the distance traveled using kinetic energy and questions the second part of the problem regarding relativistic mechanics. Other participants inquire about the expression for relativistic kinetic energy and suggest recalling fundamental equations related to energy and mass.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes various approaches to understanding the problem, with some participants providing guidance on using equations related to energy and momentum. The original poster indicates a resolution to their question but does not elaborate on the specifics of their solution.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of the pimeson's mass and lifetime, as well as the kinetic energy provided in the problem. The original poster expresses confusion regarding the calculations and acknowledges a mistake in their approach.

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I have problems with some excercises before my exam on friday. please help me

1) A charged pimeson has a lifetime of t=2,6*10^-8 s in its resting system.

a) How far distance L does it travel in Inrelastvistic mechanics?If its kinetic energy is 700 MeV?

b) How far distance L0 (seen by observator in laboratoriesystem) does it go by relativistik mechaniks?

Pimesons mass is140 MeV/c^2.

I get a to be 20 m using 700 = 1/2*mv^2 but i don't get b. Anyone that can solve it?
 
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What the expression for relativistic kinetic energy? (Either look it up or derive it.)
 
You have to remember the famous equation of Einstein: E = mc^2.
Where m is the mass of the particle when it moves.

the kinetic energie is the difference between the energy of the particle when it is movin and the rest energy (the energy that the particle has when it is at rest).
You must know how to calculate the value of m when the particle moves.
bye
 
Write down the square of the 4-momentum in the lab frame and the pi meson rest frame, then set them equal. From this, knowing the rest mass and kinetic energy, you can get the velocity and then the time and length contraction factors. You can also use the square of the proper time to get the lab frame travel distance from the lab frame lifetime, or vice versa.
 
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Thanks I solved it tnhe answer was just ight ifront of me but i made an awful mistake during my way :confused: Thnx guys and (girls?)
 

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