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

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the kinetic energy of a mass of 1x10^-16 kg traveling at 0.5c, the correct formula is KE = mc^2(1/sqrt(1-v^2/c^2) - 1). Users are advised to input the values accurately into the calculator, ensuring that the mass is only used once as per the formula. Confusion arose from incorrectly including the mass multiple times in the calculation. The expected answer is approximately 1.39 joules, but errors in input can lead to incorrect results. Proper setup of the equation is crucial for obtaining the correct kinetic energy value.
xterminal01
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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?
 
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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.
 

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