Classically, the net work done on an initially stationary object equals the final kinetic energy of the object. Verify that this also holds relativistically. Consider only one-dimension motion. It will be helpful to use the expression for p as a function of u in the following:

W=Fdx=dpdtdx=dxdtdp=udp

Short Answer

Expert verified

Determining the differential change in momentum and integrating the above expression with respect to momentum will prove that relativistically,the net work done on an initially stationary object is equal to the final kinetic energy of the object.

Step by step solution

01

Determine the differential change in momentum

The one-dimensional motion net work is given by the following.

W=0ufudp=0ufudmu1-u2c2

Let’s get the expression for dpfirst.

dp=dmu1-u2c2=m1-u2c2du-u121-u2c2-12-2uduc21-u2c2=mdu1-u2c2+u2du1-u2c232=mdu1-u2c21+u2c21-u2c2dp=dmu1-u2c2=m1-u2c2du-u121-u2c2-12-2uduc21-u2c2=mdu1-u2c2+u2du1-u2c232=mdu1-u2c21+u2c21-u2c2

Hence, the final expression for the differential change in momentum is

dp=mdu1-u2c232

02

Determine net work done on a stationary object.

Putting the expression for dpin expression of net work done.

W=0Ufumdu1-u2c232=m0ufudu1-u2c232=mc21-u2c20uf=γumc20uf

Hence, the final expression for net work done on the stationary object is

W=γuf-1mc2

W=γuf-1mc2

Thus, it is proved that relativistically, the net work done on an initially stationary object is equal to the final kinetic energy of the object.

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