Special relativity: find speed and kinetic energy

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the kinetic energy, momentum, and speed of a proton with a rest mass of 1.67x10^-27 kg and total energy 3.2 times its rest energy. The relevant equations include E(0) = m(0)c^2 for rest energy, E = mc^2 for total energy, and the relativistic kinetic energy formula Ke = (\gamma - 1)m(0)c^2. The user correctly calculates the rest energy and total energy but struggles with deriving the correct kinetic energy and speed using the momentum equation p = mv and the gamma factor. The correct approach involves using the gamma factor, which is determined from the total energy equation.

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Homework Statement



A proton (rest mass 1.67x10^-27 kg) has total energy that is 3.2 times its rest energy. What is:
a) the kinetic energy of the proton (in joules)
b) the magnitude of the momentum of the proton (in kg*m/s)
c) the speed of the proton (in terms of the speed of light "c")


Homework Equations



E(0) = m(0)c^2
where E(0) is rest energy, m(0) is rest mass and c is the speed of light (approximately 3.00x10^8 m/s)

E = mc^2
where E is the total energy (im not too sure if that's the formula for total energy) and m is the relativistic mass

p=mv
where p is the momentum

E^2 = (p^2)(c^2) + (m(0)^2)(c^2)

Ke = E - m(0)c^2
where Ke is the kinetic energy

The Attempt at a Solution



I found the rest energy E(0) = m(0)c^2 = 1.503x10^-10 and since my total energy = 3.2 times the rest energy, E = 3.2E(0) = 4.81x10^-10.
And because E = mc^2, i can use the previously calculated value to find m which gave me m= 5.344x10^-27.
I used these values and the equation E^2 = (p^2)(c^2) + (m(0)^2)(c^2)to find the momentum which gave me 1.603x10^-18, which is correct.

But when i use the formula p = mv and rearrange it as v = p/m, i get 0.9999c m/s which according to my homework isn't correct.

And also, when i use the equation Ke = E - m(0)c^2 to find the kinetic energy, i get 3.307x10^-10, which is also incorrect.

I know it's long but a little help would be appreciated.
 
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Relativistic momentum is p=\gamma m_0v and relativistic kinetic energy is (\gamma -1)m_0c^2 with \gamma=\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}}

See if you get the right result with these expressions.
 
but how would i calculate the gamma value if i don't have the velocity?
 
Total energy is E=\gamma m_0c^2 and rest energy is E_0=m_0c^2. Now take another look at the problem statement. Can you figure out what the velocity and the value of gamma is?
 
espen180 said:
Total energy is E=\gamma m_0c^2 and rest energy is E_0=m_0c^2. Now take another look at the problem statement. Can you figure out what the velocity and the value of gamma is?

Ok then suppose that before i look for the velocity, i want to find the kinetic energy first. If i use the equations E= (gamma)m(0)c^2 and E(0) = m(0)c^2 , i can find the value for gamma, which gives me 3.2. if i then use the equation (gamma -1)m(0)c^2 to find the kinetic erergy it gives me 3.307x10^-10. Why is this answer wrong?
 

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