Kinetic Energy Change in Particle: Earth vs Space Observation

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the change in kinetic energy of a particle subjected to a constant force, observed from different inertial reference frames, specifically comparing Earth and a spaceship. It concludes that the change in kinetic energy will be measured differently in each frame due to the principles of relativity, particularly the behavior of energy as a component of a four-vector. The participants agree that energy is not conserved when transitioning between Lorentz systems, leading to discrepancies in calculations of kinetic energy change.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of classical mechanics and kinetic energy principles
  • Familiarity with inertial reference frames and Lorentz transformations
  • Basic knowledge of four-vectors in physics
  • Concept of energy conservation in different reference frames
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of Lorentz transformations on energy measurements
  • Explore the concept of four-vectors in special relativity
  • Investigate the relationship between force, work, and kinetic energy in different frames
  • Review case studies on energy conservation in relativistic physics
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and researchers interested in the nuances of relativistic mechanics and the behavior of energy across different inertial frames.

HungryChemist
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Alright, I was wondering if Change in Kinetic energy of a particle (after undergoing a constant force acting on it) would be oberserved to be the different value measured from two different inertial reference frames.

Here's one particular case...Say you're on Earth and I on a space ship. We are both observing the same particle in the space and there's a force action on the particlee. The particle displace it self through surface, therefore there's work done on the particle due to the force and therefore it will change it's kinetic energy. But, would that change in kinetic energy of the particle agree if you were to do the same calculation from the spaceship?
 
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Energy is one component of a four-vector.
So energy and change in energy will be different in different Lorentz systems.
 
The answer is yes, the calculation would be different. Additionally, no one ever said that energy is conserved when changing reference frames.
 

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