Relativistic Definition and 1000 Threads

  1. A

    Would a relativistic ship really need much shielding?

    Hi all, It doesn't seem that a relativistic ship traveling in deep space would need much shielding due to particles at rest in the space frame, appearing relativisitc now in the ship's frame. Here's the calculation I did: Let's imagine a ship the size of a space shuttle traveling with γ of...
  2. Y

    Difficulty with relativistic units, eV/c^2

    I'm having some difficulty in working with units of mass at the quantum level. This difficulty most clearly manifests itself when I'm doing a Compton scattering problem. Recall that Compton scattering is given by \Delta \lambda =\frac{h}{m_{e}c}(1-cos(\theta )) and that the rest mass of an...
  3. D

    Show that the total relativistic energy of a proton

    Homework Statement The mass of a proton when at rest is m. According to an observer using the detector frame, the speed of the anticlockwise moving bunch, A, is such that va^2/c^2=24/25 Show that the total relativistic energy of a proton in bunch A, as observed in the detector frame, is...
  4. C

    Magnetism as a relativistic effect

    So my physics teacher has been trying to explain magnetic forces in terms of electric forces and relativity but I'm still confused. If there is a wire carrying a current and I'm an electron traveling next to the wire at the same speed the electrons in the wire are traveling, the electrons in...
  5. E

    Relativistic interpretation question?

    Two individuals A and B are traveling through space at a velocity in the "x" direction at and are next to each other so they can synchronize their clocks. Since there is no other available reference they believe they are not moving. Both have a duplicate shape charge which as they are in the...
  6. K

    Darwin and relativistic kinetic energy correction for hydrogen

    Homework Statement Combine the Darwin correction with the relativistic kinetic energy correction for l=0 to show that the fine structure formula: \DeltaE_{fs}= - \frac{(E^{(0)2}_{n})}{2mc^{2}}[\frac{4n}{j + 1/2}-3] remains valid for l=0 Homework Equations From a previous problem...
  7. H

    Energy Conservation versus Quantum and Relativistic Effects

    A mathematical statement of energy conservation can be given using the continuity equation in terms of the total energy \frac{\partial}{\partial t}\iiint_V\epsilon dV+\iint_S \epsilon \mathbf{V\cdot dS}=0 where t is time, V is a velocity vector, V is the volume of the system, dS is a point...
  8. J

    How Does Relativistic Two-Way Momentum Appear to Different Observers?

    Say you have an observer that is not on planet Earth. He then tries to measure the momentum of an object traveling on the Earth itself. He notices that when the object travels in one direction it has an added velocity of the Earths rotation, then in the other direction the object loses...
  9. L

    Relativistic dynamics-collision problem

    I WOULD BE VERY THANKFUL IF ANYONE COULD PLEASE ME WITH THIS PROBLEM! :) Particle 1 with mass m1 encouters elastic collision with particle 2 which has mass m2 Assume that particle 2 is stationary before collision. And movement-direction of particle 1 after collision, is perpendicular to the...
  10. T

    Is Light's Mass Infinite at the Speed of Light?

    Hi, a while back i had ran into the equation for dynamic mass [M = m/√(1-(v^2/c^2))] and had immedietly taken an interest in it in that it seems to imply that for an object with mass moving at the speed of light its mass would become, virtually, infinite. Is this an erroneous assumption? If not...
  11. Y

    Deflection of light through a relativistic glass rod.

    Let us say we have a very long glass that has a uniform square cross section. Its long axis is aligned with the x axis. A beam of light is directed along the y-axis such that it is normal to the side of the glass rod's side surface. When the rod is stationary wrt to the observer we would expect...
  12. J

    Special Relativity - Relativistic Dynamics

    Homework Statement A.P. French 6.8 A thrust-beam space vehicle works bearing a sort of sail which feels the push of a strong steady laser light beam directed at it from Earth. If the sail is perfectly reflected, calculate the mass of light required to accelerate a vehicle of rest mass m_0 up to...
  13. S

    What Happens When a Spherical Square Well Approaches 2mc2?

    Homework Statement I'm dealing with a dirac particle in an attractive spherical square well. I've solved for the transcendental equation to find energy, found the normalized wave function, and now I'm trying to explain what happens when the well becomes very deep, when V0 ≥ 2mc2. If I plug...
  14. S

    Expansion of Hydrogen GS (Relativistic)

    Homework Statement I'm trying to verify equations 16 and 17 on the attached paper, but I'm just not getting the same values they are. I've used mathematica and it just isn't happening. For one thing, there should be a factor of 1/2 in front of equation 16, but I'm really not seeing how they...
  15. A

    Two layered discs rotating at relativistic angular velocities

    Hypothetically, if you had an object on top of a disc on Earth that was rotating clockwise incredibly quickly such that the object had a tangential velocity of almost c, and this disc sat on another disc rotating anticlockwise with the same angular velocity, would the object feel the effects of...
  16. C

    Relativistic rod moving in two directions.

    Homework Statement A rigid rod has rest length L0 and moves relative to a system S' for which it's coordinates is x'=0, y' = b-ut', z' = 0. In this reference frame the rod is at all times parallel with the x'-axis. a) A point (A) on the rod is measured to be a distance= a, away from x' = 0...
  17. G

    Relativistic kinetic energy and force.

    classically, an electron accelerating from rest in a uniform electric field will have a kinetic energy proportional to the distance 'd' from its point of origin. will this continue to hold even when the electron is moving at relativistic velocity? I understand that the formula for...
  18. jaketodd

    Is there a relativistic version of the work-energy theorem?

    The work-energy theorem is stated here on Wikipedia. On the same page it says "regardless of the choice of reference frame, the work energy theorem remains valid and the work done on the object is equal to the change in kinetic energy." I am wondering if there is a relativistic version of...
  19. jaketodd

    Calculating Relativistic Velocity from Work and Mass

    I am wondering how to determine relativistic velocity from a given amount of work done on a body starting from rest with a given rest mass. This is not homework. Thanks in advance, Jake
  20. L

    Difference between relativistic doppler effect and classical one?

    When I ask for differences I am not meaning mathematical ones since that it is obvious: We have a phenomenon p, p can be described by Galilean Relativity (GR) and by Einsten Relativity (ER). ER(p)!=GR(p) The math expression that describes this phenomenon is different. Then the doppler...
  21. H

    Status of relativistic 2-body problem

    I'd like to get back into theoretical physics as a retiree. I last worked on the relativistic 2-body problem over 25 years ago. I've been reading Trump and Schieve's text on classical relativistic dynamics and I'm wondering has the classical 2-body relativistic problem been solved. I realize...
  22. U

    Magnetism seems absolute despite being relativistic effect of electrostatics

    I know that magnetic force due to a current carrying wire on a test charge moving w.r.t the wire(along the wire), can be interpreted as the electrostatic force if we use the first order relativistic corrections for Time Dilation or Length contraction of the charges of the wire, in the frame of...
  23. R

    What is the relativistic equation for finding kinetic energy?

    Let's say, I wanted to find the kinetic energy of a ball traveling at 99% the speed of light, what is the equation used for that calculation? And also, do photons have kinetic energy? Thanks.
  24. H

    Relativistic Rocket: Find Δv in Earth Frame

    Homework Statement I a little lost on how to use the relativistic velocity addition formula to determine the increase in speed "v" over a short time interval in the Earths frame of reference, for a rocket having left Earth at rest and traveling through space accelerating at constant acc. of...
  25. K

    Relativistic effects on an electron

    Homework Statement An electron is accelerated through a potential of 10^9 Volts. What is the Energy, Kinetic Energy, and Momentum in the lab reference frame? Homework Equations (1/2)mv^2=eV=1.6E-10 J=1000 MeV The Attempt at a Solution Solving for the kinetic energy gives 1000...
  26. S

    Relativistic speeds going perpendicular

    Couldnt find anything from 15min of forum searching... If 2 objects are traveling along say, an x and y axis(or just 90 degrees apart really) at close to c, how do they interpret each others speeds? 0<theta<90 are easy enough. Couldnt find anything about perpendicular though. A Newtonian...
  27. K

    How Do You Find the Total Energy and Speed of a Relativistic Particle?

    Homework Statement Mass of particle = 5GeV/C^2 Momentum of particle = 5GeV/c Find total energy of particle and speed of particle. Homework Equations E=λmc^2 p=λmu λ=(√(1-(u/c)^2))^-1 The Attempt at a Solution When I try so solve for speed, I realize λ is a function of u, so...
  28. P

    Relativistic Spaceship moving past Earth

    Homework Statement A relativistic spaceship is moving "horizontally" past Earth at 99% speed of light (c), and the water in the ship's swimming pool rises at 5 m/s. What is the tilt of the water surface with respect to the horizontal, AS OBSERVED FROM EARTH?Homework Equations The Attempt at a...
  29. S

    Continuum hypothesis of fluid mechanics (& relativistic fluids)

    Continuum approximation of fluid mechanics (& relativistic fluids) I have a few 'foundational' questions on fluid mechanics which I haven't been able to find quick answers to, any help would be appreciated. At the start of any course on fluids, one is told of the continuum hypothesis...
  30. K

    Relativistic aberration and locally measured electric flux density

    Does relativistic aberration apply to electric fields and magnetic fields? If a spaceship accelerated to a relativistic speed with respect to an initial inertial frame, in a constant direction with respect to a uniform electric field, do the effects of aberration affect the magnitude of electric...
  31. K

    Does Relativity Affect Electric Flux Through a Gaussian Surface?

    If I have a spread of electrical charges contained inside a Gaussian surface, and if I cause those electrical charges to move at relativistic speeds, the electric fields of those charges should be subject to relativistic contraction. What happens then to electric flux that cuts through that...
  32. L

    Relativistic mass and work problem

    Homework Statement A body has rest mass of 10^5 Kg. Find how much work must be done on the body to give it a velocity such that the clocks on the body run at 1/10 of the rate of the lab clocks. compare the work energy with the rest energy of the body Homework Equations γ=1/√(1-(v/c)2)...
  33. maverick_starstrider

    Relativistic angular momentum and cyclic coordinates

    I'm getting myself confused here. If my relativistic Lagrangian for a particle in a central potentai is L = \frac{-m_0 c^2}{\gamma} - V(r) should \frac{d L}{d \dot{\theta}} not give me the angular momentum (which is conserved)? Instead I get \frac{d L}{d \dot{\theta}} = -4 m...
  34. K

    How Should We Define Spin Angular Momentum in Relativistic Quantum Mechanics?

    By "spin" we sometimes refer to spin angular momentum, sometimes we refer to a specific representation of Lorentz group, in the following I'll refer to the former, otherwise I'll write "spinor representation" Say an spin up(z direction) electron at rest, state vector |m,+\rangle being an...
  35. A

    Relativistic Mass as described by Kenneth Krane in 'Modern Physics'

    Homework Statement Mr. Krane describes this scenario in a presentation of relativistic mass in his book Modern Physics John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1983 p. 36-37 According to one observer, two balls of equal mass, m1 and m2, are approaching each other at equal speed, v. The proper mass of...
  36. V

    Proof of relativistic energy/mass to grow to infinity for v approaching c?

    By SR, relativistic energy and mass are proportional to the Lorentz factor γ, therefore, grow to infinity for v\rightarrowc. This relationship for the relativistic mass has been confirmed by the Kaufmann experiment and its successors, via measuring the deflection of high velocity electrons by an...
  37. S

    Relativistic mass thought experiment/proof?

    Hey all, After reading some fairly elementary texts on special relativity, I understand length contraction and time dilation no problem, as it is well explained with examples of proofs, but I hate to say that relativistic mass is explained nowhere. I know this question has probably been asked...
  38. Z

    Speed of Pi Meson - Relativistic question

    After being created in a high-energy particle particle accelerator, a pi meson at rest has an average lifetime of 2.60 x 10^-8s. Travelling at a speed very close to the speed of light, a pi meson travels a distance of 120m before decaying. How fast is it moving? Answer: 0.998c Could...
  39. S

    Acceleration through PD, relativistic momentum

    When accelerating an electron through a PD of 10^3, that will give a momentum of 1 MeV/c right? Or is there something I'm not taking into account with relativity? Thanks :D
  40. N

    Mass of Higgs & Relativistic: Is it Comprised of Both?

    In another thread I asked the question if my mass is comprised of "Higgs Mass" and "Kinetic mass". Drakkith was nice enough to reply best he could, but wasn't certain. So yea, that's what I am wondering. Is my mass comprised of higgs and kinetic?
  41. J

    Relativistic Velocity Transformations

    A quasar is moving away from the Earth with a speed of 0.850C. It emits a proton that eventually reaches earth, and is traveling at a speed of 0.519C relative to the earth. How fast is the proton moving relative to the quasar? Is this answer as simple as it seems? is the answer simply...
  42. N

    Questions regarding relativistic momentum

    Hi everyone, I found a derivation for relativistic momentum on this page: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Special_Relativity/Dynamics I understand it all the way through, except the point where they have come to this equation. [SIZE="4"]m_{red} = \frac{m_{blue}}{\sqrt{1-(\frac{u(x,r)}{c})^{2}}}...
  43. nearc

    Relativistic effects on planetary shear [tidal forces]

    before i ask my question i want to review two points: 1. place a body like a moon or a planet near a black hole, as the body approaches the extreme gravity affects the body deferentially. 2. review the tidal forces on Jupiter's moon Io leading to volcanic/tectonic consequences. now take...
  44. C

    Relativistic Momentum derivative respect to velocity

    Homework Statement show the d(γmu) = m(1-(u^2/c^2))^(-3/2) Homework Equations C = constant, m = constant, γ= (1-(u^2/c^2))^(-1/2) The Attempt at a Solution So in calculating d(γmu)/du, I thought I would take out the m first since it is a constant and then just add it in later...
  45. C

    What is the significance of velocity in relativistic electromagnetism?

    I have read: F=q(v*B) where q=charge of the particle v=velocity of the charge particle B=magnetic flux density F= force experienced by the charged particle Now,I could not understand what is the velocity v with respect to? Please help me.
  46. P

    How far is the relativistic star?

    Homework Statement Using natural units with c=1. We have our Sun and a star at rest relative to it one light year away. A spaceship travels from our Sun to the star with v=1/2. During the journey how much time passes on the space ship's clock? How much distance does the captain of the...
  47. T

    Relativistic Collission of Protons

    Homework Statement A proton with M0 and energy 200 MeV collides with another proton at rest. How much kinetic energy does either proton have in the inertial frame in which they collide with equal and opposite momentum Homework Equations KE=1/2mv2 p=γmv λ=1/√(1-v2/c2) E=moc2γ The...
  48. T

    Relativistic velocity transformations

    Homework Statement An excited nucleus of krypton-80 emits a gamma ray that travels at the speed of light relative to the nucleus. The nucleus itself has a speed of 0.60c relative to the sun. Use a relativistic velocity transformation to determine the speed of the gamma ray relative to the...
  49. M

    Relativistic mass increase appearing to form a black hole vs. a real black hole

    As I understand it, if you are moving fast enough relative to me, your mass increase will cause you to APPEAR like a black hole to me, even though you will not see yourself as a black hole. It would be an illusion, right? And also you would see me as a black hole while I would reject that view...
  50. Vorde

    Simplifying KE/Momentum Relativistic Problem

    Homework Statement A D0 meson (with a rest mass of 1.86 GeV/c2), initially at rest, decays into a K0 meson (with a rest mass of .51 GeV/c2) and a \pi0 meson (with a rest mass of .12 GeV/c2). What is the Kinetic Energy of the \pi0 meson? Homework Equations E=\gammam0c2 p=\gammam0v...
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