Special relativity — Question 179

Original QCE Vault practice · 5 marks

Q179 · Practice questionComplex unfamiliar5 marks

QUESTION 179 (5 marks)

A proton has relativistic momentum three times its classical value

m_0v

at the same speed. Use

m_0=1.6726219\times10^{-27}\,\mathrm{kg}

and

c=3.00\times10^8\,\mathrm{m\,s^{-1}}

Determine its speed as a fraction of

c

and its relativistic momentum.

[3 marks]

Explain why the expression implies that a massive particle cannot be accelerated to

c

with a finite momentum input.

[2 marks]