A mass of 1x10^-16 kg is traveling, what is its kinetic energy ?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the kinetic energy of a mass of 1x10^-16 kg traveling at 0.5 times the speed of light (c). Participants are exploring the application of relativistic kinetic energy equations.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to apply the relativistic kinetic energy formula but express confusion about the correct setup and calculation process. There are questions about the proper use of variables and the formula structure.

Discussion Status

Some participants are providing guidance on using the correct formula, while others express uncertainty about their calculations. There is no explicit consensus on the correct approach, and multiple interpretations of the formula and its application are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the complexity of the relativistic kinetic energy equation and the implications of using mass in the calculations. There is a noted confusion regarding the input values and their correspondence to the formula terms.

xterminal01
Messages
4
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A mass of 1x10^-16 kg is traveling at 0.5 c to the nearest hundredth joule what is its kinetic energy?


Homework Equations



Et=KE + mc^2=Jmc^2
KE=mc^2(J-1)
KE=mc^2(1/sqrt(1-v^2/c^2)-1)=

The Attempt at a Solution


This is where i am stuck putting the whole thing in the calculator i guess...
(1X10^-16)(.5)^2(1x10^-16)(3x10^8)^2(1/sqrt(1-0.5^2)^2-1)
answer is 1.39, i keep getting something else?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
xterminal01 said:

Homework Statement


A mass of 1x10^-16 kg is traveling at 0.5 c to the nearest hundredth joule what is its kinetic energy?

Homework Equations



Et=KE + mc^2=Jmc^2
KE=mc^2(J-1)
KE=mc^2(1/sqrt(1-v^2/c^2)-1)=

So far so good.

The Attempt at a Solution


This is where i am stuck putting the whole thing in the calculator i guess...
(1X10^-16)(.5)^2(1x10^-16)(3x10^8)^2(1/sqrt(1-0.5^2)^2-1)

This doesn't look much like the formula you just gave. The formula you had was mc^2(1/sqrt(1-v^2/c^2)-1)
 
How should i set the equation up ?
 
xterminal01 said:
How should i set the equation up ?

Just use the formula you gave, with the values for all the variables. I don't know what happened for the numbers... but for example, the mass is 10-16. Mass appears just one in your formula, but twice in the list of numbers you gave for the calculator.

[highlight](1X10^-16)[/highlight](.5)^2[highlight](1x10^-16)[/highlight](3x10^8)^2(1/sqrt(1-0.5^2)^2-1)​
 
Can you show what to input into the calculator to get 1.39J, because that's actually where i am stuck. Thanks
 
xterminal01 said:
Can you show what to input into the calculator to get 1.39J, because that's actually where i am stuck. Thanks
No, that is not how it works at this forum.
xterminal01 said:
KE = m c^2 (1/sqrt(1-v^2/c^2)-1)
.
.
.
(1X10^-16) (.5)^2 (1x10^-16) (3x10^8)^2 (1/sqrt(1-0.5^2)^2-1)
I've used color to match up the numbers in your calculation with the terms in the equation you are using. Notice that the numbers in blue don't correspond to any of the terms from the equation, and so do not even belong in the calculation.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
5K
Replies
6
Views
1K
Replies
17
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 54 ·
2
Replies
54
Views
11K
Replies
22
Views
4K
Replies
38
Views
4K