Help Me Find Mass-Energy Equivalence Formula!

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around deriving the mass-energy equivalence formula, specifically the relationship involving energy (E), momentum (p), and mass (m) in the context of relativistic physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to manipulate the mass-energy equivalence formula and the momentum formula to derive a specific relationship. There are questions about how to transition from one form of the equation to another, particularly regarding the use of the momentum formula.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants offering different approaches to the problem. Some suggest using the energy formula multiple times, while others emphasize the necessity of incorporating the momentum formula. There is a lack of explicit consensus on the best approach to take.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of algebraic manipulation and the definitions of relativistic variables, such as the Lorentz factor (γ) and its relationship to momentum and velocity.

cobi18
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Simple algebra to find the strict mass–energy equivalence formula, and I can't do it!

find ((m^2)*(c^4)=(E^2)-(p^2*c^2)) from (E=m*c^2*y) (p=m*y*v)
(y=1/(1-(v^2/c^2))^(1/2))


Yeh i can find the m^2c^4 parts and the E^2 obvioulsy. but then i am stuck with E^2(v^2/c^2) when instead i want (p^2c^2). If anyone could help that would be great!
 
Physics news on Phys.org


cobi18 said:
Yeh i can find the m^2c^4 parts and the E^2 obvioulsy. but then i am stuck with E^2(v^2/c^2) when instead i want (p^2c^2).
Use E=m*c^2*y again.
 


Doc Al said:
Use E=m*c^2*y again.

That will not solve anything... The formula for the momentum has to be used. I recommend you to start with "p = γmv" and find "v" as a function of "p", then find "γ" as a function of "p" and finaly replace "γ" in "E=γmc2" with what you have found.
 


cosmic dust said:
That will not solve anything...
Sure it will. It's the first step:
-step 1: use the formula for E as I described
The formula for the momentum has to be used.
Of course it does. That's the second step:
-step 2: then rewrite the results in terms of p
 


OK, I thought you had say to use the formula for E twice, sorry...
 

Similar threads

Statistical physics - does total energy matter, or only differences?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Is My Solution for the Speed of a Decaying Particle Correct?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Use relativity and the Larmor formula to calculate Lienard's formula
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Relativistic effect of a free particle
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
Griffiths' Quantum Mechanics Problem 4.27 : Diatomic particles
  • · Replies 46 ·
2
Replies
46
Views
3K
Momentum transfer in electron-proton collision
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
Poynting’s theorem -- Check the relation of the energy balance
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Relativistic particle moving in a potential
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Probability distribution of outgoing energy of particle
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
How to move from the space of moments to the space of energies?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K