Purchase Solution

Kinetic energy, rest energy and inelastic collisions

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

Can you show that the momentum P and the kinetic energy T of a particle of rest mass M can be related by: P^2=2TM+T^2.
____________________________________________

A particle of rest mass M moving with speed 'Beta-not' collides inelastically with (i.e. 'sticks to') a stationary particle of rest mass m. Find the speed of the composite particle. (Answer will contain Beta-not, gamma-not, M and m).
________________________________________________
Find the rest energy of the composite particle of the previous particle in terms of the kinetic energy T of the initial particle and the masses M and m.

Purchase this Solution

Solution Summary

A detailed solution is given.

Solution Preview

I'll explain how to do this and similar problems, but I'll leave some of the algebra for you to do. You can contact me via the messaging system or send email to Brainmass if you need more help (free of charge, of course).

Calculations is special relativity can in many cases be simplified by working with quantities that transform covariantly under Lorentz transformations. In this case, we can try to avoid tedious calculations by working with four-momenta. If we work in units such that c = 1, then a particle with energy E and momentum P has a four momentum of (E, P). The P in here has three components (it is just the ordinary momentum vector), and E is the energy, so the four-momentum has four components, hence it's name.

For two four vectors (a0,a1,a2,a3) and (b0,b1,b2,b3) the inner product is defined differently than in case of ordinary vectors. It is defined as:

(a0,a1,a2,a3) dot (b0,b1,b2,b3) = a0 b0 - [a1b1 + a2 b2 + a3b3] (1)

The inner product defined in this way is invariant under Lorentz transformations. Note that some books define the inner product that differs from this definition by an overall minus ...

Purchase this Solution


Free BrainMass Quizzes
Variables in Science Experiments

How well do you understand variables? Test your knowledge of independent (manipulated), dependent (responding), and controlled variables with this 10 question quiz.

Introduction to Nanotechnology/Nanomaterials

This quiz is for any area of science. Test yourself to see what knowledge of nanotechnology you have. This content will also make you familiar with basic concepts of nanotechnology.

Intro to the Physics Waves

Some short-answer questions involving the basic vocabulary of string, sound, and water waves.

Classical Mechanics

This quiz is designed to test and improve your knowledge on Classical Mechanics.

Basic Physics

This quiz will test your knowledge about basic Physics.