Lorentz factor = 10^6, solving for Beta

AI Thread Summary
To solve for β when the Lorentz factor γ equals one million, the equation (1-β^2)^(-1/2) = 10^6 is used. Rearranging leads to the expression β^2 = 1 - (1/10^12), indicating that ε is a very small number. By applying the binomial approximation, β can be expressed as β = √(1 - ε), which simplifies to β ≈ 1 - (1/2)(1/10^12) when expanded to first order. The final result shows that β is approximately 0.9999999999995, indicating that the particle is moving at a velocity very close to the speed of light.
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Homework Statement


A particle moves such that its relativistic factor γ equals one million. Find β (=v/c).
Give answer in the form β = 0.999..., with correct number of nines before first non-nine digit. Do not use a calculator

Homework Equations



(1-β^2)^(-1/2) = 10^6


The Attempt at a Solution



I've messed around algebraically in a few ways, and tried the binomial approximation, but can't seem to find a way to deal with the β^2 without a calculator.
 
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Try to manipulate γ = 106 into an expression for β2 of the form β2 = 1-ε where ε is a very small number that you will determine.

Then β = \sqrt{1-ε}. Expand this to first order in ε.
 
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