Special relativity: find speed and kinetic energy

AI Thread Summary
A proton with a rest mass of 1.67x10^-27 kg has a total energy 3.2 times its rest energy, leading to calculations for kinetic energy, momentum, and speed. The rest energy is calculated as 1.503x10^-10 joules, resulting in a total energy of 4.81x10^-10 joules. The momentum was correctly found to be 1.603x10^-18 kg*m/s, but the calculated speed of 0.9999c and kinetic energy of 3.307x10^-10 joules were deemed incorrect. The discussion emphasizes the need to use relativistic equations, particularly for momentum and kinetic energy, and to determine the Lorentz factor (gamma) accurately. Clarification on calculating gamma and its implications on speed and kinetic energy is sought.
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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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