Special relativity: find speed and kinetic energy

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem in special relativity concerning a proton with a given rest mass and total energy expressed as a multiple of its rest energy. Participants are tasked with finding the kinetic energy, momentum, and speed of the proton based on the provided information.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the rest energy, total energy, momentum, and kinetic energy using various equations related to special relativity. Some participants suggest using the relativistic expressions for momentum and kinetic energy, while others question how to determine the gamma factor without knowing the velocity.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, exploring different equations and approaches. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of relativistic formulas, and there is an ongoing examination of how to derive the necessary values from the given information. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored without reaching a consensus.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted uncertainty regarding the calculation of gamma and the accuracy of the kinetic energy results. The original poster expresses confusion about the correctness of their answers based on the homework requirements.

k77i
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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.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
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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