Relativistic vs non-relativistic momentum

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the momentum of a particle with a mass of 1g moving at half the speed of light, comparing classical and relativistic momentum formulas.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to use both classical and relativistic formulas for momentum and questions how to compare the results. Some participants suggest finding the ratio of the two momenta or the percentage difference between them.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring different ways to compare classical and relativistic momentum, with some guidance provided on how to approach the comparison. There is no explicit consensus on the best method yet.

Contextual Notes

The problem involves comparing two different approaches to momentum under specific conditions, and participants are considering how to express the relationship between the two results.

daisy7324
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The question ask to find the momentum of a particle with mass 1g moving with half speec of c and then compare the answer with the result using relativistic formula for momentum. Do I just use p=mv for non relativistic and p=mv/(1-v^2/c^2)^1/2 and put them equal to each other to find the relationship? Thanks:biggrin:
 
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Those are the right formulas. When asked to compare to quantities, usually you can answer that by stating which quantity is bigger, which is smaller etc. That's all they are asking for.
 
If you wanted to be more precise you could find the ratio of classical to relativistic momentum.
 
Or you could find the percentage difference between the two, e.g. "the relativistic momentum is 4.2% larger than the classical momentum."
 

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