Special Relativity- momentum and energy

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem in special relativity, specifically focusing on the momentum and energy of particles, including an electron and a composite particle formed from a collision. Participants are exploring concepts related to kinetic energy, relativistic mass, and the implications of energy conservation in particle interactions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to calculate the kinetic energy fraction, relativistic momentum, and mass of particles based on given total energy. Questions arise regarding the assumptions made about potential energy, the interpretation of units, and the calculation of gamma.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided attempts at solving the problem, while others are questioning the validity of their assumptions and calculations. There is an ongoing exploration of the definitions and relationships between energy, mass, and momentum in the context of special relativity.

Contextual Notes

Participants are discussing the implications of using rest mass energy versus rest mass in their calculations. There is a noted concern about the consistency of answers and the interpretation of gamma in the context of the problem.

C.E
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1. a. An electron of rest mass (0.511Mev) is accelerated in a linear accelerator so it has a total energy of 40 Gev.
i).What fraction of the total energy is kinetic energy?
ii).what is the reletivistic linear momentum of the electron?
iii).What is its relativistic mass?
b.A particle of rest mass m travels so that its total energy is twice its rest mass energy. It collides with a particle of rest mass m and forms a composite particle.
i). What is the momentum of each of the initial particles?
ii).What is the momentum of the new particle produced in the collision.
iii).What is the rest mass of the new particle

3. Here is my attempt at part a, there are a few things I am unsure on firstly, in answering this question I have assumed potential energy is negligeable, i.e. there is only kinetic and rest mass energy, is that ok? Secondly I am a bit worried by the fact I keep getting 40 as an answer and finally, I was unsure on units, what are the units of gamma?

a. (i). (40 x 10^9 - 0.511 x 10^6)/40 x 10^9 =0.99999.
ii) E^2=p^2c^2 +m^2c^4

so p=40Gev/c

iii).E=gmc^2 where g is gamma.
Therefore g= (40x 10^9)/ 0.511 x 10^6) =78278.
Hence relativistic mass= 78278 x 0.511 x 10^-3= 40 Gev/c^2.

Here is part b.
b. (i). stationary particle: 0.
moving particle:mc^2sqrt(3) using the same equation as in aii.
(ii) sqrt(3)mc^2 by conservation laws.
(iii)Total energy mc^2 + 2mc^2 =3mc^2
rest energy=sqrt(total energy^2-(momentumxc)^2)
=sqrt(6m^2c^4)=mc^2sqrt(6)

Have I done this question right?
 
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Hi C.E! :smile:

(what happened to that γ I gave you before? :wink:)
C.E said:
1. a. An electron of rest mass (0.511Mev) is accelerated in a linear accelerator so it has a total energy of 40 Gev.
i).What fraction of the total energy is kinetic energy?

Here is my attempt at part a, there are a few things I am unsure on firstly, in answering this question I have assumed potential energy is negligeable, i.e. there is only kinetic and rest mass energy, is that ok? Secondly I am a bit worried by the fact I keep getting 40 as an answer and finally, I was unsure on units, what are the units of gamma?

a. (i). (40 x 10^9 - 0.511 x 10^6)/40 x 10^9 =0.99999.

Nope … start again …

if energy/rest-mass = 40G/.511M, what is γ? :smile:

(and yes, there is only kinetic and rest mass energy)
 
Sorry the 0.511Mev is rest mass energy, (not rest mass), doesa that make a difference to your last post?
 
C.E said:
Sorry the 0.511Mev is rest mass energy, (not rest mass), doesa that make a difference to your last post?

Nooo … that was obvious from the question.
 
Ok, here is my new attempt (finding gamma first)
Energy= gamma x rest energy
Hence gamma=78278
Kinetic energy= (gamma -1) x rest mass energy = 78277
Giving: kinetic energy / total energy = 78277/78278 =0.99999.
I still get the same answer, what is wrong with the above?
 

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