How do I find the velocity that an electron must acquire

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    Electron Velocity
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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the velocity an electron must achieve for its relativistic mass to equal that of a proton. The context involves concepts from special relativity and mass-energy equivalence.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of a specific relativistic mass formula and explore the relationship between the masses of the electron and proton. There are attempts to approximate values and calculate the required velocity.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided hints and approximations, leading to a realization about the proximity of the calculated velocity to the speed of light. There is acknowledgment of the correctness of initial ideas, but no explicit consensus on the final outcome.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference the masses of the electron and proton and engage in approximations, indicating a focus on relativistic effects. There is an implicit understanding of the constraints of special relativity in the discussion.

irony of truth
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How do I find the velocity that an electron must acquire, if its mass is to be equal to the rest mass of a proton?

I know that the masses of electron and proton are 9.11 X 10^-31 kg and 1.67 X 10^-27 kg, respectively.

Am I going to use the formula m = m_0 / (1 - v^2/c^2)^(1/2) ?

How do I continue from here?
 
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irony of truth said:
How do I find the velocity that an electron must acquire, if its mass is to be equal to the rest mass of a proton?

I know that the masses of electron and proton are 9.11 X 10^-31 kg and 1.67 X 10^-27 kg, respectively.

Am I going to use the formula m = m_0 / (1 - v^2/c^2)^(1/2) ?

How do I continue from here?

Let's approximate this number,okay??
[tex]\frac{9.11\cdot 10^{-31}}{1.67\cdot 10^{-27}}\sim \frac{1}{1836}[/tex]

I'll give u the final answer and let u work out your way through to it.
[tex]v=\frac{\sqrt{1836^{2}-1}}{1836} c[/tex]

Good luck!
 
Hmm, I just got your reply.. seems like it is almost the same as the speed of light... amazing!
 
irony of truth said:
Hmm, I just got your reply.. seems like it is almost the same as the speed of light... amazing!

Judging it in the context of SR,it's not surprising,let alone amazing.So,by "I just got your reply" does it mean you solved the problem and confronted the result with mine ??Hopefully so,it would mean that the PF community did its job and got u happy and satisfied... :approve: :approve:
 
So,by "I just got your reply" does it mean you solved the problem and confronted the result with mine ??

Hi! What I mean is that when I saw your hints, I quickly solve the problem - knowing that my first idea is correct... but I did not confront your answer... I just saw that I got the correct solution.. same as yours.

But I thank you for helping me.
 

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