Relativistic Work-Energy Theorem: Deriving Griffiths' Formula

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the derivation of Griffiths' work-energy theorem in the context of relativistic physics. The key equation discussed is the time derivative of momentum, expressed as ##\frac{d\mathbf{p}}{dt}\cdot\mathbf{u} = \frac{m\mathbf{u}}{(1-u^2/c^2)^{3/2}}\cdot\frac{d\mathbf{u}}{dt}##. A participant struggles with the transition between terms in the derivation and receives guidance on manipulating algebraic expressions to achieve the desired form. The discussion emphasizes the importance of correctly applying vector calculus and algebraic techniques in physics.

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ArtVandolay
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TL;DR
Stuck on derivation in Griffiths' Electrodynamics
In deriving the work-energy theorem, Griffiths does the following:

##\frac{d\mathbf{p}}{dt}\cdot\mathbf{u} = \frac{d}{dt}\bigg(\frac{m\mathbf{u}}{\sqrt{1-u^2/c^2}}\bigg)\cdot\mathbf{u}=\frac{m\mathbf{u}}{(1-u^2/c^2)^{3/2}}\cdot\frac{d\mathbf{u}}{dt}##

I may have forgotten something essential from vector calculus, but for the life of me, I can't figure out how he goes from the second term to the third. Using ##\frac{d(u^2)}{dt}=\frac{d(\mathbf{u}\cdot\mathbf{u})}{dt}=2\mathbf{u}\cdot\frac{d\mathbf{u}}{dt}##, I'm getting:
$$\frac{d}{dt}\bigg(\frac{m\mathbf{u}}{\sqrt{1-u^2/c^2}}\bigg)\cdot\mathbf{u}=\bigg[\frac{m\frac{d\mathbf{u}}{dt}}{\sqrt{1-u^2/c^2}} - \frac{1}{2}\frac{m\mathbf{u}}{(1-u^2/c^2)^{3/2}}\bigg(-\frac{2\mathbf{u}}{c^2}\cdot\frac{d\mathbf{u}}{dt}\bigg)\bigg]\cdot\mathbf{u}$$
I can't see how to get this in the form shown above. What am I missing?
 
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ArtVandolay said:
What am I missing?

Bring the ##\bf{u}## inside the brackets so you have ##\bf{u} \cdot d \bf{u} / dt## in the first term and ##\bf{u} \cdot \bf{u}## in the second.

Then multiply the first term by ##1 - u^2 / c^2## top and bottom, and see what happens.
 
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PeterDonis said:
Then multiply the first term by ##1 - u^2 / c^2## top and bottom, and see what happens.

Ahh apparently I forgot how to do algebra. Thank you!
 
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