I'm searching for a specific book with the derivation of ##E\propto v^2##?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the search for a specific book that contains a derivation of the relationship ##E \propto v^2##, particularly one that does not rely on the formula ##E=Fdx##, calculus of variations, or special relativity. Participants express interest in identifying references or similar derivations, with a focus on works by Russian authors post-1950.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant references a specific derivation found in a previous thread, indicating it is distinct from traditional methods.
  • Another participant discusses the implications of special relativity on the energy of a particle, suggesting that the presence of constant and higher-order terms complicates the assertion of proportionality to ##v^2##.
  • Some participants mention the Lagrangian approach and its abstract nature, noting that while it may provide a derivation, it may not align with the specific request for a reference.
  • Several participants express uncertainty about the existence of a specific book or derivation, with one participant suggesting that the derivation is likely found in many introductory textbooks.
  • There is a correction regarding the authorship of "Landau and Lifgarbagez," clarifying it should be "Landau and Lifshitz." This correction is acknowledged by multiple participants.
  • One participant emphasizes the simplicity of the derivation and questions the necessity of a specific source, suggesting that it is commonly found in classical mechanics texts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the existence of a specific book containing the desired derivation. Multiple competing views on the derivation methods and references remain, with some participants expressing skepticism about the need for a specific source.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the derivation in question may not be present in well-known texts like "Landau and Lifshitz," and there is acknowledgment of the limitations of various derivation methods discussed.

exponent137
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TL;DR
I ask for the reference for the following derivation of ##E\propto v^2## or a similar one.
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/the-final-explanation-to-why-kinetic-energy-is-proportional-to-velocity-squared.78484/#post-609992
Twice I found the following derivation of ##E\propto v^2## in a little distinct forms.
https://www.physicsforums.com/threa...tional-to-velocity-squared.78484/#post-609992
The derivation is in post #9, if it is not shown properly.

This means, this derivation is without ##E=Fdx## formula, without calculus of variations, without special relativity, etc.

I am interested, what is a reference for this or any other similar derivation. What I heard additionally that this is not in the book
"Landau and Lifgarbagez Classical Mechanics ", that this was written by a russian author, somewhere after 1950, translated in English, in a red cover.

The most probably, this is neither this book of Arnold:
https://loshijosdelagrange.files.wo...tical-methods-of-classical-mechanics-1989.pdfas I searched in it.

Similar but not so specific questions were given twice already. But they were not answered.

NOTE:
Can I ask that you leave this question unanswered if you do not know a precise answer. In such a case it will stay in "UNANSWERED THREADS", this means that someone will notice this thread some day and will answer to this. In the opposite case, this thread will be hidden somewhere in PF, and no one will answer to it.
 
Last edited:
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Hi.
SR says energy of a particle of mass m is
E=\frac{mc^2}{\sqrt{1-v^2/c^2}}=mc^2\{1+1/2(v/c)^2+3/8(v/c)^4+...\}
=mc^2 + 1/2 \ mv^2 + 3mc^2/8 \ (v/c)^4 + ...
With the constant term ##mc^2## and higher ##(v/c)^{2n}## ,where n>1, terms we cannot say E is proportional to ##v^2## any more.
 
mitochan said:
Hi.
SR says energy of a particle of mass m is
E=\frac{mc^2}{\sqrt{1-v^2/c^2}}=mc^2\{1+1/2(v/c)^2+3/8(v/c)^4+...\}
=mc^2 + 1/2 \ mv^2 + 3mc^2/8 \ (v/c)^4 + ...
With the constant term ##mc^2## and higher ##(v/c)^{2n}## ,where n>1, terms we cannot say E is proportional to ##v^2## any more.

Yes, but SR can also be used for the derivation of ##E\propto v^2## in Newtonian mechanics.

But here I wish a reference for the derivation, which I linked. Now a theory behind it is not so important for me, as the reference for this book, where the derivation for https://www.physicsforums.com/threa...tional-to-velocity-squared.78484/#post-609992 is written.

If no one knows this reference, maybe someone knows some hint for it. I also searched in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Russian_physicists, but even Vladimir Igorevich Arnold is not written in the link, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Arnold. But here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Russian_mathematicians he is.
 
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exponent137 said:
What I heard additionally that this is not in the book
"Landau and Lifgarbagez Classical Mechanics ", that this was written by a russian author, somewhere after 1950, translated in English, in a red cover.
Incidentally, since you sound uncertain about it, this book is by Landau and Lifshitz. I believe Greg ran an overzealous profanity filter over PF at some point, and it edited the latter's name in quite a few posts.
 
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Ibix said:
Incidentally, since you sound uncertain about it, this book is by Landau and Lifshitz. I believe Greg ran an overzealous profanity filter over PF at some point, and it edited the latter's name in quite a few posts.

Now I see that "Lifgarbagez" is wrong. I thought that both options are correct. :smile:
But, I copied this name from PF.
 
exponent137 said:
##E\propto v^2## in Newtonian mechanics.
L-L texts in section 4 says for L, Lagrangean of a free particle,
\frac{\partial L}{\partial v^2} does not depend on ##v##.
This is the most direct derivation I know.
 
I've no idea what you are after. The most simple derivation of why ##E_{\text{kin}}=m \vec{v}^2/2## is a useful quantity I know of is the "work-energy theorem". It follows from Newtons equation,
$$m \ddot{\vec{x}}=\vec{F},$$
valid along the trajectory of the particle. Multiplying with ##\dot{\vec{x}}## gives
$$\mathrm{d}_t \left (\frac{m}{2} \dot{\vec{x}}^2 \right)=\dot{\vec{x}} \cdot \vec{F}.$$
If ##\vec{F}## is conservative, i.e.,
$$\vec{F}(\vec{x})=-\vec{\nabla} V(\vec{x}),$$
also the right-hand-side is a total time derivative and thus you get the energy conservation law
$$\mathrm{d}_t \left (\frac{m}{2} \dot{\vec{x}}^2 + V(\vec{x}) \right)=0.$$
That's, why it is useful to define ##E_{\text{kin}}## in its standard form. I guess, it's hard to find a mechanics textbook, where this is not derived.
 
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vanhees71 said:
I've no idea what you are after. The most simple derivation of why ##E_{\text{kin}}=m \vec{v}^2/2## is a useful quantity I know of is the "work-energy theorem". It follows from Newtons equation,
$$m \ddot{\vec{x}}=\vec{F},$$
valid along the trajectory of the particle. Multiplying with ##\dot{\vec{x}}## gives
$$\mathrm{d}_t \left (\frac{m}{2} \dot{\vec{x}}^2 \right)=\dot{\vec{x}} \cdot \vec{F}.$$
If ##\vec{F}## is conservative, i.e.,
$$\vec{F}(\vec{x})=-\vec{\nabla} V(\vec{x}),$$
also the right-hand-side is a total time derivative and thus you get the energy conservation law
$$\mathrm{d}_t \left (\frac{m}{2} \dot{\vec{x}}^2 + V(\vec{x}) \right)=0.$$
That's, why it is useful to define ##E_{\text{kin}}## in its standard form. I guess, it's hard to find a mechanics textbook, where this is not derived.
I please you still for reference this derivation. I think that precisely such derivation does not exist in "Landau, Lifshitz"?

But still ever I please for derivation given in the first post.
 
  • #10
I don't know a specific source, but where is the need? The calculation is simple enough, isn't it? I'm pretty sure it's in almost any introductory textbook. Landau&Lifshitz vol. I is of course among the best classical-mechanics texts ever, particularly because it doesn't bother its readers with mechanics without using Hamilton's action principle ;-)).
 

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