A noob asking about relativistic kinetic energy.

[Katamari]

Hey guys, I'm new here. In fact I'm new to the site. Anyway, I just need this question answered. Is it possible to skip the equations for kinetic energy by simply adding gamma to the Newtonian kinetic energy equation? If so, could you give an example?

 

[jtbell]

Is it possible to skip the equations for kinetic energy by simply adding gamma to the Newtonian kinetic energy equation?

No. The relativistic kinetic energy is

$$K = (\gamma - 1) m_0 c^2$$

which is not the same thing as

$$\gamma \left( \frac{1}{2}m_0 v^2 \right)$$

which I'm guessing is what you mean by "adding gamma to the Newtonian kinetic energy."