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Show that the relativistic expression for kinetic energy (γ-1)mc2is equivalent to the classical 12mu2 when u≪c

Short Answer

Expert verified

The relativistic expression for kinetic energy become equivalent to classical expression at very low speed of particle.

Step by step solution

01

Relativistic Kinetic Energy

For a particle moving at relativistic speeds the rest mass of the particle gets converted into dynamic mass, which varies with the velocity of the particle. Thus, to calculate the kinetic energy of the particle, moving at relativistic speeds, relativistic correction need to be done.

02

Proof for relativistic kinetic energy to become classical kinetic energy at very low speed

The Lorentz factor for particle is given as:

γ=11-uc2γ=1-u2c2-1/2

The relativistic kinetic energy of a particle is given as:

K=γ-1mc2

Here, c is the speed of light

Substituting the values in the above equation.

K=1-u2c2-1/2-1mc2

for u≪c, expand the expression by using binomial theorem and neglect the higher terms.

K=1--12u2c2-1mc2K=1+u22c2-1mc2K=u22c2mc2K=12mu2

Therefore, the relativistic kinetic energy of particle at very low speed become classical kinetic energy of particle.

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