An object of mass 3mo moves to the right at 0.8c.

a) Calculate its momentum and energy.

b) Using the relativistic velocity transformation, determine its velocity in a new frame of reference moving it to right at 0.5c, then using it to determine the object's momentum and energy in this new frame.

c) Verify that equations role="math" localid="1657556434416" (2-38) are satisfied.

Short Answer

Expert verified
  1. In a stationary frame, the momentum and energy of the object are4mθc&5moc2.
  2. And in the moving frame, the momentum and energy of the object are 1.74moc&3.48moc2.
  3. The equations (2-38) are verified.

Step by step solution

01

Determine the object’s energy and momentum in the stationary frame.

Let's consider a reference frame Swith respect to which this object moves along its positive x-direction at a velocity of 0.8c.

The total relativistic energy of this object is,

E=y0.8.mc2

=533mac2

E=5moc2

The relativistic momentum of the object is,

px=γzimux

=γ0.8c3mo(0.8c)

=532.4moc2

px=4moc

02

Determine the object's velocity in the frame   S' moving relative to S at velocity   0.5c.

The relativistic velocity transformation is expressed as,

ux'=ux-v1-uxvc2

=0.8c-0.5c1-(0.8×0.5)

=0.3c0.6

us'=0.5c

03

Calculate the momentum and energy in this new frame of reference.

The total energy and momentum in this new frame moving at 0.5cto the right is,

Energy:

E'=7'mc'

localid="1657557711016" =71.5c3mνc2

=1.16(3)moc2

E'=3.48mvc2

Momentum:

px'=γiiz'mux'

=γ0.,c3mo(0.5c)

localid="1659092783461" =(1.16×3×0.5)mocp'x=1.74moc

04

Verify the above results using (2-38) equations.

Momentum:

px'=γvpx-vcEc

=γosc4moc-0.5cc5mec2c

=1.164mec-2.5mec

px'=1.74mvc

Energy:

E'=γrE-vps

=γ0.5c5mvc2-(0.5c)4mtc

=1.163moc2

E'=3.48moc2

Thus, the (2-38)equations are verified.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

A thin plate has a round hole whose diameter in its rest is D. The plate is parallel to the ground and moving upward, in the +y direction, relative to the ground. A thin round disk whose diameter in its rest frame is D direction is also parallel to the ground but moving in the +x relative to it. In the frame of the ground, the plate and disk are on course so that the centers of the bole and disk wiIl at some point coincide. The disk is contracted, but the hole in the plate is not, so the disk will pass through the hole. Now consider the frame of the disk. The disk is of diameter D, but the hole is contracted. Can the disk pass through the hole, and if so, how?

From p=γumu (i.e., px=γumux,py=γumuy and pz=γumuz ), the relativistic velocity transformation (2-20), and the identity γu'=(1-uxv/c2)γvγu show that py'=py and pz'=pz.

The light from galaxy NGC 221 consists of a recognizable spectrum of wavelengths. However, all are shifted towards the shorter-wavelength end of the spectrum. In particular, the calcium “line” ordinarily observed at 396.85nmis observed at 396.58nm. Is this galaxy moving toward or away from Earth? At what speed?

A point charge +qrests halfway between two steady streams of positive charge of equal charge per unit length λ, moving opposite directions and each at relative to point charge.With equal electric forces on the point charge, it would remain at rest. Consider the situation from a frame moving right at .(a) Find the charge per unit length of each stream in this frame.(b) Calculate the electric force and the magnetic force on the point charge in this frame, and explain why they must be related the way they are. (Recall that the electric field of a line of charge is λ/2πε0r, that the magnetic field of a long wire is μ0I/2πr, and that the magnetic force is qv×B. You will also need to relate λand the current l.)

You are strapped into a rear-facing seat at the middle of a long bus accelerating: from rest at about (a rather violent acceleration for a bus). As the back of the bus passes a warning sign alongside the street, a red light of precisely wavelength on the sign turns on. Do you see this precise wavelength? Does your friend silting at the front of the bus see the wavelength you see? How could the same observations be produced with the bus and sign stationary?

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free