Just a quick question on the derivation of energy

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the derivation of the energy equation in the context of relativity, specifically the transformation from the expression \(\mathcal{E}=p \cdot v - L\) to \(\mathcal{E}=\frac{m c^2}{\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}}\). The user initially struggles with the derivation, mistakenly combining terms. A key insight provided is to multiply the second term by \(\frac{\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}}{\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}}\), which clarifies the transformation. This highlights the importance of algebraic manipulation in understanding relativistic energy equations.

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genericusrnme
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I've been reading through a book on relativity and I came across this

[itex]\mathcal{E}=p . v - L[/itex]
[itex]\mathcal{E} =\frac{m v}{\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}}.v + m c^2\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}[/itex]

I know this part well enough but then the book arrives at

[itex]\mathcal{E}=\frac{m c^2}{\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}}[/itex]

How did that happen?
All I can get is this

[itex]\mathcal{E} =\frac{m v^2}{\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}} + m c^2\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}\neq \frac{m c^2}{\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}}[/itex]

What am I doing wrong here?

Thanks in advance
 
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Multiply the second term by
[tex]\frac{\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}}{\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}}[/tex]
and I think you'll find that it works.
 
Ah, thanks Parlyne
I feel like a tool now :L
 

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