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Mizies
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Electrons in a particle accelerator reach a speed of 0.999c relative to the laboratory. Is the rest energy of the electron equal to zero?
Rest Energy of Electrons in Particle Accelerators: Zero or Not?
In summary, the rest energy of an electron is 0.511 MeV, regardless of its speed. However, its total energy is greater when it is moving, due to the non-zero kinetic energy.
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Nugatory
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The kinetic energy of an electron (or anything else, for that matter) at rest is zero.
The total energy of the electron, calculated from ##E=\gamma{m_0}c^2## or ##E^2=(m_0c^2)^2+(pc)^2"##, is .511511 MeV when the electron is at rest and greater when it is moving and the kinetic energy is non-zero.
[Edit - left the decimal point out the first time around]
The total energy of the electron, calculated from ##E=\gamma{m_0}c^2## or ##E^2=(m_0c^2)^2+(pc)^2"##, is .511
[Edit - left the decimal point out the first time around]
Last edited:
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jtbell
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Mizies said:
The rest energy of an electron is 0.511 MeV, regardless of how fast it is moving.
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Matterwave
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Nugatory said:
.511MeV or 511keV bro, 511MeV is some ginormous electron.
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Nugatory
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:)Matterwave said:
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jtbell
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Matterwave said:
It's overweight even for a muon.
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Mizies
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thanks..
What is the rest energy of an electron?
The rest energy of an electron is a fundamental physical quantity that represents the energy an electron possesses simply by existing. It is equivalent to the mass of the electron multiplied by the speed of light squared, as described by Einstein's famous equation E=mc^2.
How is the rest energy of an electron calculated?
The rest energy of an electron is calculated by multiplying its mass, which is approximately 9.11 x 10^-31 kilograms, by the speed of light squared, which is approximately 9 x 10^16 meters per second. This results in a rest energy of approximately 8.19 x 10^-14 joules.
Why is the rest energy of an electron important?
The rest energy of an electron is important because it is a fundamental quantity in the field of quantum mechanics and helps to explain the behavior of electrons and other particles at the atomic level. It also plays a crucial role in understanding the structure and stability of atoms.
Can the rest energy of an electron be converted into other forms of energy?
Yes, the rest energy of an electron can be converted into other forms of energy through processes such as nuclear reactions or particle collisions. This is due to the principle of mass-energy equivalence, which states that mass and energy are interchangeable and can be converted into one another.
How does the rest energy of an electron compare to the rest energy of other particles?
The rest energy of an electron is relatively small compared to the rest energy of other particles, such as protons and neutrons. This is because electrons have a much lower mass than these particles, and the rest energy is directly proportional to an object's mass. However, compared to the energy released in chemical reactions, the rest energy of an electron is significantly higher and can be harnessed in technologies such as nuclear power.
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