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Relativistic energy and momentum

We know classically that kinetic energy and momentum are related to each other, since

KE class = p 2 2 m = ( mv ) 2 2 m = 1 2 mv 2 .

Relativistically, we can obtain a relationship between energy and momentum by algebraically manipulating their definitions. This produces

E 2 = ( pc ) 2 + ( mc 2 ) 2 , size 12{E rSup { size 8{2} } = \( ital "pc" \) rSup { size 8{2} } + \( ital "mc" \) rSup { size 8{2} } } {}

where E size 12{E} {} is the relativistic total energy and p size 12{p} {} is the relativistic momentum. This relationship between relativistic energy and relativistic momentum is more complicated than the classical, but we can gain some interesting new insights by examining it. First, total energy is related to momentum and rest mass. At rest, momentum is zero, and the equation gives the total energy to be the rest energy mc 2 (so this equation is consistent with the discussion of rest energy above). However, as the mass is accelerated, its momentum p increases, thus increasing the total energy. At sufficiently high velocities, the rest energy term ( mc 2 ) 2 becomes negligible compared with the momentum term ( pc ) 2 ; thus, E = pc at extremely relativistic velocities.

If we consider momentum p size 12{p} {} to be distinct from mass, we can determine the implications of the equation E 2 = ( pc ) 2 + ( mc 2 ) 2 , size 12{E rSup { size 8{2} } = \( ital "pc" \) rSup { size 8{2} } + \( ital "mc" \) rSup { size 8{2} } } {} for a particle that has no mass. If we take m size 12{m} {} to be zero in this equation, then E = pc size 12{E= ital "pc"} {} , or p = E / c size 12{p=E/c} {} . Massless particles have this momentum. There are several massless particles found in nature, including photons (these are quanta of electromagnetic radiation). Another implication is that a massless particle must travel at speed c size 12{c} {} and only at speed c size 12{c} {} . While it is beyond the scope of this text to examine the relationship in the equation E 2 = ( pc ) 2 + ( mc 2 ) 2 , size 12{E rSup { size 8{2} } = \( ital "pc" \) rSup { size 8{2} } + \( ital "mc" \) rSup { size 8{2} } } {} in detail, we can see that the relationship has important implications in special relativity.

Problem-solving strategies for relativity

  1. Examine the situation to determine that it is necessary to use relativity . Relativistic effects are related to γ = 1 1 v 2 c 2 size 12{γ= { {1} over { sqrt {1 - { {v rSup { size 8{2} } } over {c rSup { size 8{2} } } } } } } } {} , the quantitative relativistic factor. If γ size 12{γ} {} is very close to 1, then relativistic effects are small and differ very little from the usually easier classical calculations.
  2. Identify exactly what needs to be determined in the problem (identify the unknowns).
  3. Make a list of what is given or can be inferred from the problem as stated (identify the knowns). Look in particular for information on relative velocity v size 12{v} {} .
  4. Make certain you understand the conceptual aspects of the problem before making any calculations. Decide, for example, which observer sees time dilated or length contracted before plugging into equations. If you have thought about who sees what, who is moving with the event being observed, who sees proper time, and so on, you will find it much easier to determine if your calculation is reasonable.
  5. Determine the primary type of calculation to be done to find the unknowns identified above. You will find the section summary helpful in determining whether a length contraction, relativistic kinetic energy, or some other concept is involved.
  6. Do not round off during the calculation. As noted in the text, you must often perform your calculations to many digits to see the desired effect. You may round off at the very end of the problem, but do not use a rounded number in a subsequent calculation.
  7. Check the answer to see if it is reasonable: Does it make sense? This may be more difficult for relativity, since we do not encounter it directly. But you can look for velocities greater than c size 12{c} {} or relativistic effects that are in the wrong direction (such as a time contraction where a dilation was expected).

Questions & Answers

A golfer on a fairway is 70 m away from the green, which sits below the level of the fairway by 20 m. If the golfer hits the ball at an angle of 40° with an initial speed of 20 m/s, how close to the green does she come?
Aislinn Reply
cm
tijani
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John Reply
what is physics
Siyaka Reply
A mouse of mass 200 g falls 100 m down a vertical mine shaft and lands at the bottom with a speed of 8.0 m/s. During its fall, how much work is done on the mouse by air resistance
Jude Reply
Can you compute that for me. Ty
Jude
what is the dimension formula of energy?
David Reply
what is viscosity?
David
what is inorganic
emma Reply
what is chemistry
Youesf Reply
what is inorganic
emma
Chemistry is a branch of science that deals with the study of matter,it composition,it structure and the changes it undergoes
Adjei
please, I'm a physics student and I need help in physics
Adjanou
chemistry could also be understood like the sexual attraction/repulsion of the male and female elements. the reaction varies depending on the energy differences of each given gender. + masculine -female.
Pedro
A ball is thrown straight up.it passes a 2.0m high window 7.50 m off the ground on it path up and takes 1.30 s to go past the window.what was the ball initial velocity
Krampah Reply
2. A sled plus passenger with total mass 50 kg is pulled 20 m across the snow (0.20) at constant velocity by a force directed 25° above the horizontal. Calculate (a) the work of the applied force, (b) the work of friction, and (c) the total work.
Sahid Reply
you have been hired as an espert witness in a court case involving an automobile accident. the accident involved car A of mass 1500kg which crashed into stationary car B of mass 1100kg. the driver of car A applied his brakes 15 m before he skidded and crashed into car B. after the collision, car A s
Samuel Reply
can someone explain to me, an ignorant high school student, why the trend of the graph doesn't follow the fact that the higher frequency a sound wave is, the more power it is, hence, making me think the phons output would follow this general trend?
Joseph Reply
Nevermind i just realied that the graph is the phons output for a person with normal hearing and not just the phons output of the sound waves power, I should read the entire thing next time
Joseph
Follow up question, does anyone know where I can find a graph that accuretly depicts the actual relative "power" output of sound over its frequency instead of just humans hearing
Joseph
"Generation of electrical energy from sound energy | IEEE Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore" ***ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7150687?reload=true
Ryan
what's motion
Maurice Reply
what are the types of wave
Maurice
answer
Magreth
progressive wave
Magreth
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Muhammad Reply
fine, how about you?
Mohammed
hi
Mujahid
A string is 3.00 m long with a mass of 5.00 g. The string is held taut with a tension of 500.00 N applied to the string. A pulse is sent down the string. How long does it take the pulse to travel the 3.00 m of the string?
yasuo Reply
Who can show me the full solution in this problem?
Reofrir Reply
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Source:  OpenStax, College physics for ap® courses. OpenStax CNX. Nov 04, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11844/1.14
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