An electron, which has a mass of 9.11 x 10^-31 kg, moves with a speed of 0.773c. Find the magnitude of its relativistic momentum and compare this value with the momentum calculated from the classical expression.
SOLVE IT
Conceptualize
Imagine an electron moving with high speed. The electron carries momentum, but the magnitude of its momentum is not given by p = mu because the speed is relativistic.
Categorize
We categorize this example as a substitution problem involving a relativistic equation.
Use Equation 39.19 with u = 0.773c to find the momentum:
p = me * u / (1 - (u^2 / c^2))^1/2
p = (9.11 x 10^-31 kg)(0.773)(3.00 x 10^8 m/s) / (1 - (0.773c)^2 / c^2)^1/2
p = 3.338 x 10^-22 kg · m/s [Correct: Your answer is correct.]
The classical expression (used incorrectly here) gives pclassical = meu = 2.11 x 10^-22 kg · m/s. Hence, the correct relativistic result is 50% greater than the classical result!
MASTER IT
Now a proton was measured to have momentum 7.10 x 10^-20 kg·m/s. What is its speed? Give your answer in units of c.
u =______ c