In this problem we will observe how the momentum of an electron changes as its velocity approaches the speed of light. The mass of an electron is 9.109 × 10-31 kg. (a) First, what is the momentum of an electron which is moving at the speed of a car on a highway, say 27 m/s, in kilogram meters per second? (b) What is the momentum of an electron moving at 19 % of the speed of light, in kilogram meters per second? (c) What is the momentum of an electron moving at 85 % of the speed of light, in kilogram meters per second?
In this problem we will observe how the momentum of an electron changes as its velocity approaches the
(a) First, what is the momentum of an electron which is moving at the speed of a car on a highway, say 27 m/s, in kilogram meters per second?
(b) What is the momentum of an electron moving at 19 % of the speed of light, in kilogram meters per second?
(c) What is the momentum of an electron moving at 85 % of the speed of light, in kilogram meters per second?
(d) What is the non-relativistic momentum of an electron moving at this speed (85 % of the speed of light), in kilogram meters per second?
(e) When the electron is moving at 85 % of the speed of light, how many times greater is the relativistic momentum than the non-relativistic momentum?
(f) Which of the following facts are true about the ratio of relativistic to non-relativistic momentum of an electron?
| It does not depend on the mass of the electron. |
| It approaches infinity when the speed approaches the speed of light. |
| It depends on the charge of the electron. |
| The relativistic momentum and classical momentum of an electron are always about the same. |
| It does not depend on the speed of the electron. |
(g) What is the ratio of the relativistic momentum to the classical momentum of a rocketship moving at 99 % of the speed of light, in kg ⋅ m/s?
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