# Derive a formula for momentum in terms of kinetic energy

by martinhiggs
Tags: derive, energy, formula, kinetic, momentum, terms
 P: 24 1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data Using: particle velocity, beta particle momentum, p total energy, E Lorentz factor, gamma kinetic energy, KE Derive an equation for momentum as a function of kinetic energy. The functions have to depend either on the variable in the bracket, p(KE), or on a constant. 3. The attempt at a solution This is what I've done so far, and I am now stuck, and unsure if the way I am doing it is correct or if there is a different approach. $$E^{2} = p^{2}c^{2} + m^{2}c^{4}$$ $$KE = E - m_{0}c^{2}$$ $$KE = \sqrt{p^{2}c^{2} + m^{2}c^{4}} - m_{0}c^{2}$$ $$p^{2} = \frac{KE^{2}}{c^{2}} - m^{2}c^{2} - m_{0}^{2}c^{4}$$ The only thing I could think of doing next is: $$KE = \frac{p^{2}}{2m_{0}} , m_{0} = \frac{p^{2}}{2KE}$$ $$p^{2} = \frac{KE}{c^{2}} - m^{2}c^{2} - \frac{p^{4}}{4KE^{2}}c^{2}$$ $$p^{2} + \frac{p^{4}}{4KE^{2}}c^{2} = \frac{KE}{c^{2}} - m^{2}c^{2}$$ $$p^{2}(1 + \frac{p^{2}}{4KE^{2}}c^{2}) = \frac{KE}{c^{2}} - m^{2}c^{2}$$ I'm not sure if this is the best or easiest way to do this, as it seems to be pretty messy, and I also have one more m in the equation that I need to get rid of but am not sure of the best way of doing so. Any help will be greatly appreciated :)
 P: 24 Ok, so I've been working on this problem for about 24 hours and I think I'm finally getting somewhere with it. In class we were given a sheet of useful formulae, and this included: $$p = \gamma \beta m_{0} c = \frac{m_{0} \beta c}{\sqrt{1 - \beta^{2}}}$$ $$= \frac{\sqrt{E_{tot}^{2} - m_{0}^{2}c^{4}}}{c}$$ From this final equation, I noticed that $$KE = \sqrt{E_{tot}^{2} - m_{0}^{2}c^{4}}$$ So this means that I have the relation: $$p = \frac{KE}{c}$$ Which is momentum which is only dependent on KE or a constant! The only problem I have now is working out where that equation from p comes from, can anybody help?
 P: 516 The formula for the momentum is derived from the expression for total relativistic energy. This page has some good info: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu...iv/releng.html
P: 24

## Derive a formula for momentum in terms of kinetic energy

Great, finally I've figured it all out! Thank you for your help! :)

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