Why the pythagoras theorem is used in the second equation?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Atran
  • Start date Start date
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
Sign up Log in
1 reply · 2K views
Atran
Messages
93
Reaction score
1
Hi,

I know that,

E1 = E0 + EK, and
E2 = (mc2)2 + (pc)2 = E02 + EK2, but
E0 + EK ≠ (E02 + EK2)1/2

Is one of them wrong?
Why the pythagoras theorem is used in the second equation?

Thanks.
 

Discussion

Physics news on Phys.org
Atran said:
Hi,

I know that,

E = E0 + EK, and
E2 = (mc2)2 + (pc)2
Correct

Atran said:
... = E02 + EK2
Incorrect

E2 = E02 + 2 E0EK + EK2
 

Similar threads

Graduate Relating the metric tensor equation to Pythagoras' theorem in 2D

  • mysearch
  • · Replies 5 ·
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
5

Graduate Why am I getting Maxwell's second equation wrong?

  • Beelzedad
  • · Replies 9 ·
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
9

Undergrad Measuring distances: why the Pythagoras formula

  • krishna mohan
  • · Replies 26 ·
  • Differential Geometry
Replies
26

Graduate Why is pythagoras theorem what it is?

  • blah
  • · Replies 1 ·
  • General Math
Replies
1

Graduate How Can I Prove the Second Equation from the First in a Random Walk Probability?

  • jakey
  • · Replies 5 ·
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
5