RELATIVITY - PROBLEMS

Prepared by
Ms. Anne Jose M
Department of Physics
Little Flower college, Guruvayoor
1. In Michelson Morely experiment, the distance from the partially
silvered glass plate to each of the mirrors was 11m. If the wavelength of
the light used was 6000Å and the expected fringe shift was 0.4 , find the
velocity of earth relative to ether.
Given l=11m 𝜆 = 6000Å= 6000 × 10−10 m ∆𝑛=0.4 v=?

2𝑙𝑣 2 2 ∆𝑛𝜆𝑐 2 0.4×6000×10−10 ×(3×108 )2

= ∆𝑛𝜆 ⇒ 𝑣 = =
𝑐2 2𝑙 2×11

0.4×6000×10−10 ×9×1016 0.4×6×9×109

= = = 0.9818 × 109 = 9.818 × 108
2×11 2×11

𝑣 = 𝑣 2 = 9.818 × 108 = 3.133 × 104 𝑚/𝑠

2.A rocket is 40 metre long on the ground. When it is in flight its length is 38 metre
to an observer on the ground. Find the speed of the rocket.
• 𝑙0 = 40m l=38m v=?

𝑣2 𝑙 𝑣2 𝑙 2 𝑣2
𝑙= 𝑙0 1− ⇒ = 1− ⇒ =1−
𝑐2 𝑙0 𝑐2 𝑙0 𝑐2

𝑣2 𝑙 2 𝑣 𝑙 2
⇒ =1− ⇒ = 1−
𝑐2 𝑙0 𝑐 𝑙0

𝑙 2 38 2
⇒v=𝑐 1− =𝑐 1− = 0.312c
𝑙0 40
3.A particle with mean proper life time of 𝟐 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟔 sec moves through
the laboratory with a speed of 0.99c. Calculate its life time as measured
by an observer in laboratory.
∆𝑡0 = 2 × 10−6 sec v=0.99c

∆𝑡0 2 ×10−6
∆𝑡= =
𝑣2 0.99𝑐 2
1− 2 1−
𝑐 𝑐2

2 ×10−6 −6
= 2
= 14.17 × 10 𝑠𝑒𝑐
1− 0.99
4.A particle with mean proper life of 1µs moves through the laboratory at
𝟐. 𝟕 × 𝟏𝟎𝟖 𝒎/s . What will be the distance travelled by it before
disintegration?
∆𝑡0 = 1µs = 1 × 10−6 sec v= 𝟐. 𝟕 × 𝟏𝟎𝟖 𝒎/s

∆𝑡0 10−6
∆𝑡= = = 2.29 × 10−6 𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝑣2 𝟐.𝟕×𝟏𝟎𝟖
2
1− 2 1−
𝑐 2
𝟑×𝟏𝟎𝟖

∴ 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒙 = 𝒗 ∆𝑡 = 𝟐. 𝟕 × 𝟏𝟎𝟖 × 2.3 × 10−6 = 621m.

5. µ-meson has mean life of 2µs. What is the mean life when it moving
with a speed 0.98c. How far does it travel in this time?

∆𝑡0 = 2µs = 2 × 10−6 sec v= 𝟎. 𝟗𝟖𝐜

∆𝑡0 2×10−6
∆𝑡= = = 10.05 × 10−6 𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝑣2 𝟎.𝟗𝟖𝒄 2
1− 2 1−
𝑐 𝒄2

∴ 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒙 = 𝒗 ∆𝑡 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟖 × 𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎𝟖 × 10.05 ×

10−6 = 2954.81m.
6.Anu is 25 years old and her father Anand is 60 years old. Anand goes to space in a
spaceship. On returning from space, Anand finds himself 70 years old whereas his
daughter has become 65 years old. Find the velocity of the spaceship.

∆𝑡0 = 70 − 60 = 10years ∆𝑡=65-25=40years

V=?
∆𝑡0 𝑣2 ∆𝑡0 𝑣 2 ∆𝑡0 2
∆𝑡= ⇒ 1− = ⇒1− =
𝑣2 𝑐2 ∆𝑡 𝑐2 ∆𝑡
1− 2
𝑐

∆𝑡0 2 𝑣2 ∆𝑡0 2 𝑣
⇒1− = ⇒ 1− =
∆𝑡 𝑐2 ∆𝑡 𝑐

∆𝑡0 2 10 2
⇒𝑣=𝑐 1− = 3 × 108 1− =2.905 × 108 m/s.
∆𝑡 40
7.Nikhil is 20 years old and his father Vinod is 50 years old. Vinod travels in a
spaceship and comes back to earth. On returning from the space ship, Vinod
finds himself only 60 years old whereas his son has become 70 years old on
earth. Calculate the velocity of the ship.
∆𝑡0 = 60 − 50 = 10years ∆𝑡=70-20=50years
V=?
∆𝑡0 𝑣2 ∆𝑡0 𝑣 2 ∆𝑡0 2
∆𝑡= ⇒ 1− = ⇒1− =
𝑣2 𝑐2 ∆𝑡 𝑐2 ∆𝑡
1− 2
𝑐

∆𝑡0 2 𝑣2 ∆𝑡0 2 𝑣
⇒1− = ⇒ 1− =
∆𝑡 𝑐2 ∆𝑡 𝑐

∆𝑡0 2 10 2
⇒𝑣=𝑐 1− = 3 × 108 1− =2.939 × 108 m/s.
∆𝑡 50
8.A rocket is 100 meter long on earth. When it is in flight, its length is 98m to an
observer in the space laboratory. Compute the speed of rocket.

• 𝑙0 = 100m l=98m v=?

𝑣2 𝑙 𝑣2 𝑙 2 𝑣2
𝑙= 𝑙0 1− ⇒ = 1− ⇒ =1−
𝑐2 𝑙0 𝑐2 𝑙0 𝑐2

𝑣2 𝑙 2 𝑣 𝑙 2
⇒ =1− ⇒ = 1−
𝑐2 𝑙0 𝑐 𝑙0

𝑙 2 98 2
⇒v=𝑐 1− =𝑐 1− = 0.199c=0.596 × 108 m/s.
𝑙0 100
9.A space craft of length 125m and diameter 10m is moving with a
speed of 0.98c. What is its length and diameter w.r.t. an observer on
earth?
• 𝑙0 = 125m 𝑑0 =10m v=o.98c

𝑣2 (0.98𝑐)2
𝑙= 𝑙0 1− ⇒ 𝑙 = 125 1 −
𝑐2 𝑐2

⇒ 𝑙 = 125 1 − 0.982 =24.875m.

Diameter remains same since perpendicular directions are unaffected.

10.A 200 m long train has to pass through 150m long tunnel. If the train moves
towards the tunnel with a speed of 0.8c, find the length of the train and the tunnel
as seen by a man (a) at the train (b) at the tunnel

𝑙0 (train)=200m 𝑙0 (tunnel)=150m v=0.8c

For a man at the train
Length of the train= its proper length=200m
𝑣2
Length of the tunnel= 𝑙0 (tunnel) 1 − =150 1 − 0.82 =90m
𝑐2
For a man at the tunnel
Length of the tunnel = its proper length=150m
𝑣2
Length of the train= 𝑙0 (train) 1 − =200 1 − 0.82 =120m
𝑐2
11. Compute the speed of a rocket whose clock runs one second slower per hour
relative to a clock on the earth.

No. of seconds in 1 hour = 60x60=3600sec

∆𝑡=3600 sec ∆𝑡0 =3599sec V=?
∆𝑡0 𝑣2 ∆𝑡0 𝑣 2 ∆𝑡0 2
∆𝑡= ⇒ 1− = ⇒1− =
𝑣2 𝑐2 ∆𝑡 𝑐2 ∆𝑡
1− 2
𝑐

∆𝑡0 2 𝑣2 ∆𝑡0 2 𝑣
⇒1− = ⇒ 1− =
∆𝑡 𝑐2 ∆𝑡 𝑐

∆𝑡0 2 3599 2
⇒𝑣=𝑐 1− = 3 × 108 1− =7.07 × 106 m/s.
∆𝑡 3600
 12. A uniform rod of certain length is moving horizontally with a

𝑙0 sin45
velocity of 0.8c making an angle 45° with the direction of motion.
Calculate the percentage contraction in length of the rod.
45°
The length of the rod can be resolved into 𝑙0 cos 45 and 𝑙0 sin 45. 𝑙0 cos 45

Since the rod is moving along x-axis, contraction takes place in the cosine component.

𝑣2 𝑙0 0.6𝑙0
𝑙𝑥 = 𝑙0 cos45 1 − = 1 − 0.82 =
𝑐2 2 2

𝑙0
Since no contraction takes place in the y direction, 𝑙𝑦 = 𝑙0 sin45 =
2

0.6𝑙0 2 𝑙0 2 𝑙02 𝑙02

Effective length of the rod 𝑙 = 𝑙𝑥2 + 𝑙𝑦2 = + = 0.36 + = 𝑙0 0.68 = 0.825 𝑙0
2 2 2 2

𝑙0 −𝑙 𝑙0 −0.825𝑙0
Percentage of contraction in length = × 100 = × 100 = 17.54%
𝑙0 𝑙0
13. Show that 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 + 𝑧 2 − 𝑐 2 𝑡 2 is Lorentz invariant

𝑣𝑥 2
𝑥−𝑣𝑡 2 𝑡− 2
𝑥 ′2 + 𝑦 ′2 + 𝑧 ′2 − 𝑐 2 𝑡 ′2 = + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 − 𝑐2 𝑐
𝑣2 𝑣2
1− 2 1− 2
𝑐 𝑐

2 2𝑥𝑣𝑡 𝑣2 𝑥2
𝑥 2 −2𝑥𝑣𝑡+𝑣 2 𝑡 2 𝑡 − 2 + 4
= 𝑣2
+ 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 − 𝑐2 𝑐
𝑣 2
𝑐
1− 2 1− 2
𝑐 𝑐

2 2 𝑣2 𝑥2
𝑥 2 −2𝑥𝑣𝑡+𝑣 2 𝑡 2 𝑐 𝑡 −2𝑥𝑣𝑡+ 2
= 𝑣2
+ 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 − 𝑣 2
𝑐
1− 2 1− 2
𝑐 𝑐

𝑣2 𝑥2 𝑣2 𝑣2
2 2 2 2 2
𝑥 −2𝑥𝑣𝑡+𝑣 𝑡 −𝑐 𝑡 +2𝑥𝑣𝑡− 2 𝑥 2 1− 2 −𝑐 2 𝑡 2 1− 2
𝑐 𝑐
= 𝑣2
𝑐
+ 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 = 𝑣2
+ 𝑦2 + 𝑧2
1− 2 1− 2
𝑐 𝑐

= 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 + 𝑧2 − 𝑐2𝑡2
 14. At what speed v, will the Galilean and Lorentz expressions for x differ by 10%?
𝑥−𝑣𝑡
𝑥𝐺 = 𝑥 − 𝑣𝑡 and 𝑥𝐿 =
𝑣2
1− 2
𝑐
𝑥𝐿 −𝑥𝐺 10
Since 𝑥𝐿 > 𝑥𝐺 , we have to find out the speed for which = 10% = = 0.1
𝑥𝐺 100
𝑥−𝑣𝑡
− 𝑥−𝑣𝑡
𝑣2
1− 2
𝑐 1 1
= 0.1 ⇒ -1 =0.1⇒ 1.1 =
𝑥−𝑣𝑡 𝑣2 𝑣2
1− 2 1− 2
𝑐 𝑐

1 𝑣2 1
Squaring on both sides, 1.21 = 𝑣2
⇒1− = = 0.8264
1− 2 𝑐2 1.21
𝑐

𝑣2 𝑣
⇒ = 1 - 0.8264 = 0.1736 ⇒ = 0.1736 = 0.4167 ⇒ 𝑣= 0.4167c
𝑐2 𝑐
15. A circular ring in x-y plane moves parallel to the x-axis. What should be its velocity so
that its area appears to be half the stationary area
Semi major
Area of the ring = 𝜋𝑅02 , 𝑅0 𝑏𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔. 𝑅0 R axis 𝑅0

As it moves along x- direction, its radius along x-axis suffers

contraction. As a result, the ring assumes the shape of an ellipse with semi major
radius 𝑅0 and semi minor radius R.
Area of the ellipse = 𝜋 𝑅0 R.
𝜋𝑅02 𝑅0
As this area appears to be half of the ring, we have 𝜋 𝑅0 R= ⇒ R=
2 2
𝑣2 𝑅0 𝑣2 1 𝑣2
𝑙= 𝑙0 1 − 2 ⇒ = 𝑅0 1 − 2 ⇒ = 1− 2
𝑐 2 𝑐 2 𝑐

1 𝑣2 𝑣2 3 𝑣 3
⇒ =1 − ⇒ = ⇒ =
4 𝑐2 𝑐2 4 𝑐 4

3
⇒𝑣 = c = 0.866c = 2.598 x 108 m/s.
2
 16. Frame S’ moves with velocity v relative to a frame S. A rod in frame S’ makes an angle θ’
with respect to the forward direction of motion. Show that the angle θ as measured in S
1/2
𝑣2
related to θ’ by 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃 = 1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃’
𝑐2 Y’
Let L’ be the length of the rod in the S’ frame.
L’
2 2 1/2
𝐿′𝑦
Using Pythagorus theorem, L’= 𝐿′𝑥 + 𝐿′𝑦 .
θ’
𝐿′𝑥
𝐿′𝑥 =L’ cos θ’ and 𝐿′𝑦 =L’ sin θ’

𝐿′𝑥 O’ X’
= cot θ’
𝐿′𝑦 𝐿𝑥 =L cos θ and 𝐿𝑦 =L sin θ

𝐿𝑥
Let L be the length of the rod in the S frame. = cot θ
𝐿𝑦
𝑣2 𝑣2
Using 𝑙= 𝑙0 1− , 𝐿𝑥 =𝐿′𝑥 1− and 𝐿𝑦 = 𝐿′𝑦 .
1/2 𝑐2 𝑐2
Using Pythagorus theorem, L= 𝐿2𝑥 + 𝐿2𝑦 .
𝐿𝑥 𝐿′𝑥 𝑣2 𝑣2
= 1− ⇒ cot θ= cot θ’ 1 −
𝐿𝑦 𝐿′𝑦 𝑐2 𝑐2
Problem 17: A photon is moving with the velocity of light c in an inertial
frame S’, which also moves with a uniform velocity v. Show that the
velocity of the photon remains the same.

𝑢′ +𝑣 𝑐+𝑣
u = 𝑢′ 𝑣
= 𝑐𝑣
1+ 2 1+ 2
𝑐 𝑐

𝑐+𝑣 𝑐+𝑣
= 𝑣 = 𝑐+𝑣 =c
1+
𝑐 𝑐
18.Calculate the speed at which the mass of an electron becomes 4
times its rest mass.
𝑚0 𝑚0
m= => 4 𝑚0 =
𝑣2 𝑣2
1− 𝑐2
1− 𝑐2

1 1
=> 4= => 16= 𝑣2
𝑣2 1−
1− 𝑐2 𝑐2

𝑣2 1 15 𝑣2
1− 2 = => =
𝑐 16 16 𝑐2

15
=> v = c = 2.905× 108 𝑚/𝑠
4
19.The average life time of muons at rest is 2.4 × 10−6 s. Its average life time
measured in a laboratory is 6 × 10−6 𝑠. Find (a) the speed of the muons in the
laboratory (b) its effective mass at the speed (c) KE . Given rest mass = 𝑚0

∆𝑡= 6 × 10−6 𝑠 ∆𝑡0 = 2.4 × 10−6 s

∆𝑡0 ∆𝑡0 2 2.4 2
∆𝑡= => v=c 1 − =c 1− =0.9165c
𝑣2 ∆𝑡 6
1− 𝑐2

𝑚0 𝑚0 𝑚0
m= = = = 2.499 𝑚0
𝑣2 0.91652 𝑐2 1−0.91652
1− 𝑐2
1− 𝑐2

KE= 𝑚𝑐 2 − 𝑚0 𝑐 2 =2.499 𝑚0 𝑐 2 - 𝑚0 𝑐 2 = 1.499 𝑚0 𝑐 2

=1.499 × 9 × 1016 𝑚0 =13.49 × 1016 𝑚0 J
20.Calculate the mass of an electron accelerated to a kinetic energy of 2MeV. 𝑚0 =
9.1 × 10−31 𝑘𝑔

𝐾𝐸 = 𝑚𝑐 2 − 𝑚0 𝑐 2
𝑚𝑐 2 = 𝐾𝐸 + 𝑚0 𝑐 2
𝐾𝐸
𝑚= 2 + 𝑚0
𝑐

2×106 ×1.6×10−19
= + 9.1× 10−31
3×108 2

=44.65 × 10−31 kg
21. A particle is moving with a speed of 0.4c. Find the ratio of the rest
mass and the mass in motion.

𝑚0 𝑚0 𝑣2 0.4 2 𝑐 2
m= ⇒ = 1− 2 = 1− 2 = 0.916
𝑣2 𝑚 𝑐 𝑐
1− 𝑐2
22.A stationary bomb explodes into two fragments of rest mass 1kg
each moving apart with a speed of 0.6c. Find the rest mass of the bomb.

The total energy of the stationary bomb= Total energy of the

fragments.
2 2
2
𝑚 01 𝑐 𝑚02 𝑐
𝑚0 𝑐 = +
𝑣2 𝑣2
1− 2 1− 2
𝑐 𝑐
Given 𝑚01 = 𝑚02 =1kg, v=0.6c
1×𝑐 2 1×𝑐 2 2𝑐 2 2𝑐 2
𝑚0 𝑐2 = + = =
0.62 𝑐2 0.62 𝑐2 1−0.62 0.64
1− 2 1− 2
𝑐 𝑐
𝑚0 =2.5kg
23. Calculate the mass of a particle whose kinetic energy is half of its
total energy. Find its speed.

Total energy = 𝑚𝑐 2
Kinetic energy = 𝑚𝑐 2 - 𝑚0 𝑐 2
Given, KE=TE/2
𝑚𝑐 2 𝑚𝑐 2 𝑚
ie,𝑚𝑐 2 - 2
𝑚0 𝑐 = => = 𝑚0 𝑐2 => = 𝑚0
2 2 2
𝑚=2 𝑚0
𝑚0 𝑚0 1 𝑣2 1
m= => 2 𝑚0 = => 2= => 1− 2 =
𝑣2 𝑣2 𝑣2 𝑐 2
1− 𝑐2
1− 𝑐2
1− 𝑐2
𝑣2 1 𝑣2 1 3 3
=> 1− = => =1- = => v= c=0.866c
𝑐2 4 𝑐 2 4 4 2
24. Find the increase in mass of 1kg of a metal of specific heat
0.15cal/g/K when heated through 800℃.

Energy required to increase the temperature of 1gm of metal through

1K=0.15 cal
Energy required to increase the temperature of 1kg(1000gm) of metal
through 1K=0.15x1000 cal
Energy required to increase the temperature of 1kg(1000gm) of metal
through 800K=0.15x1000x800 cal

energy exachanged for increase of 800℃ is H=mst

=1000× 0.15 × 800 𝑐𝑎𝑙=1.2× 105 𝑐𝑎𝑙
= 1.2× 105 ×4.2 J = 5.04 × 105 J
2 𝐸 5.04 ×105 −12
But E=𝑚𝑐 => increase in mass = 2 = 8 2 =5.6 × 10 𝑘𝑔
𝑐 3×10
25. A proton of rest mass 1.67× 10−27 𝑘𝑔 moves with a velocity
𝑐
. 𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠, momentum, total energy and kinetic energy.
2
𝑚0 𝑚0 𝑚0 𝑚0 𝑚0
m= = = = = = 2 𝑚0
𝑣2 𝑐 2 1 2
1− 𝑐2
1−12 1
2
2 2
1− 𝑐2
1− 1

= 2 × 1.67× 10−27 = 2.36 × 10−27 kg

𝑐
Momentum p= mv = 2.36 × 10−27 × = 5.006 × 10−19 𝑘𝑔𝑚/𝑠
2
Total energy = 𝑚𝑐 2 =2.36 × 10−27 𝑐 2 = 21.24 × 10−11 𝐽
Kinetic energy=Total energy-rest energy= 𝑚𝑐 2 - 𝑚0 𝑐 2 = 2 𝑚0 𝑐 2 - 𝑚0
𝑐 2 = 0.414 𝑚0 𝑐 2 =6.222 × 10−11 𝐽
26. A square of side of length ‘a’ is moving with a speed c/2 parallel to
one of its sides. What is its area in motion?

𝑣2
Using the equation 𝑙= 𝑙0 1− 2 ,
𝑐
𝑣2 𝑐2 1 3
we can write a’= a 1 − 2 =a 1− =a 1− = a = 0.866a
𝑐 4𝑐 2 4 4
Contraction takes place only in one side. The newlength after
contraction is a’.
The length of the other side remains the same and is equal to a.
Therefore area in motion= axa’=0.866 𝑎2
27. How much younger an astronaut will appear to the earth observer if
he returns after one year having moved with a velocity 0.8c

∆𝑡=1yr
∆𝑡0 𝑣2 (0.8𝑐)2
∆𝑡= => ∆𝑡0 = ∆𝑡 1 − =1 1− = 1 − 0.82
𝑣2 𝑐2 𝑐2
1− 2
𝑐

= 0.36 =0.6 years

The astronaut is younger by ∆𝑡- ∆𝑡0 =1-0.6=0.4years

 28. A star is 10 light years away from earth. How long would it take for a spaceship
travelling with a velocity 3× 106 to reach the star with respect to an observer (a) on
earth (b) on the spaceship
𝑙
(a) Time to reach the star w.r.t. earth’s frame= ∆𝑡=
𝑣
10×365×24×60×60×3×108
10×365×24×60×60×3×108 𝑚 3×106
= (in second) = years
3×106 𝑚/𝑠 365×24×60×60

10×3×108
= years = 1000 years
3×106
∆𝑡0
(b) According to time dilation ∆𝑡=
𝑣2
1− 2
𝑐

𝑣2
Time to reach the star w.r.t. spaceship, ∆𝑡0 = ∆𝑡 1−
𝑐2
3×106 2
= 1000 1 − = 999.9 years
3×108 2
29. Consider two identical twins of age 25 years. One remains on earth and the other travels within a
3
spaceship with a velocity 𝑐. After 25 years elapsed on earth, traveller returns. Then what are their
2
ages?

𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑝𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ ∆𝑡=25yrs

𝑣2 3
Time elapsed in spaceship ∆𝑡0 = ∆𝑡 1− = 25 1 − =12.5years.
𝑐2 4
Age of the traveller = 25+12.5 = 37.5 years
Age of the one who stayed on earth = 25+ 25=50 years
30. An electron falls through a potential difference of 104 volts. Calculate the
percentage increase in mass . 𝑚0 = 9 × 10−31 𝑘𝑔.

When an electron of charge e falls through a potential difference of V

volts,
the kinetic energy acquired K = eV = 1.6 × 10−19 × 104 = 1.6 × 10−15 J

𝐾 1.6×10−15
From the equation K=(m- 𝑚0 )𝑐 2 , m- 𝑚0 = 2 = =1.8 × 10−32 kg.
𝑐 9×1016

m− 𝑚0 1.8 ×10−32
∴Percentage increase in mass = ×100 = ×100=2%
𝑚0 9×10−31
31. Calculate the energy equivalent of 1kg of coal.

M=1kg
E=m 𝑐 2 =1× 3 × 108 2 =9 × 1016 J
32. Prove that when v/c<<1, the relativistic kinetic energy becomes the
classical one.
𝑚0
Relativistic kinetic energy K= m𝑐 2 − 𝑚0 𝑐2 = 2
𝑐 2 − 𝑚 𝑐2
0
𝑣
1− 2
𝑐
−1/2
𝑣2
= 𝑚0 𝑐 2 1 − −𝑚0 𝑐 2
𝑐2
−1/2
𝑣2 𝑣2
when v/c<<1, 1 − =1+ 2
𝑐2 2𝑐
𝑣2 𝑚 𝑣 2
∴ K= 𝑚0 𝑐 2 1+ −𝑚0 𝑐 2 = 0
.
2𝑐 2 2
This is the classical kinetic energy.