What is the momentum of a proton moving at 0.7c?

In summary, the momentum of a proton is a measure of its motion and is defined as the product of its mass and velocity. It can be calculated using the equation p = mv, and can change if its mass, velocity, or direction of motion changes. The momentum of a proton is important in fields such as physics, chemistry, and nuclear science, and is directly related to its kinetic energy.
  • #1
ZedCar
354
1

Homework Statement



A proton of rest mass 1.67 x 10^-27 kg is moving at a constant speed of 0.7c

What is it's momentum?

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



Using E = γmc^2 I obtained;

E = 2.10 x 10^-10 JThen with;

E^2 = (pc)^2 + (mc^2)^2 and solving for p I got;

p = 8.47 x 10^-15
 
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  • #2
ZedCar said:

Homework Statement



A proton of rest mass 1.67 x 10^-27 kg is moving at a constant speed of 0.7c

What is it's momentum?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Using E = γmc^2 I obtained;

E = 2.10 x 10^-10 J
I agree.

Then with;

E^2 = (pc)^2 + (mc^2)^2 and solving for p I got;

p = 8.47 x 10^-15
That's the correct method, but I'm getting something quite different. It is probably just an arithmetic mistake. Can you show more details of this calculation?
 
  • #3
Redbelly98 said:
I agree.That's the correct method, but I'm getting something quite different.

Are you getting 4.88 x 10^-19 ?
 
  • #4
Yes, with units of kg*m/s.
 
  • #5
kgm/s

Based on the given information, it appears that the momentum of the proton is 8.47 x 10^-15 kgm/s. This value represents the product of the proton's mass and its velocity, and it is a measure of the amount of motion that the proton possesses. It is important to note that this momentum is relative to an observer, and it may change if the proton's speed or direction of motion changes. Additionally, this momentum value can be used to calculate other physical properties, such as the proton's kinetic energy, which could be useful in further research or experiments.
 

Related to What is the momentum of a proton moving at 0.7c?

1. What is the momentum of a proton?

The momentum of a proton is a measure of its motion and is defined as the product of its mass and velocity. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction, and is commonly expressed in units of kilogram meters per second (kg m/s).

2. How is the momentum of a proton calculated?

The momentum of a proton can be calculated using the equation p = mv, where p is momentum, m is mass, and v is velocity. The mass of a proton is approximately 1.67 x 10^-27 kilograms, and its velocity can vary depending on its energy level.

3. Does the momentum of a proton change?

Yes, the momentum of a proton can change if its mass, velocity, or direction of motion changes. In a closed system, the total momentum remains constant, but individual objects within the system can exchange momentum with each other.

4. Why is the momentum of a proton important?

The momentum of a proton is important because it is a fundamental property of matter that helps us understand and predict the behavior of particles on a microscopic level. It is also essential in fields such as physics, chemistry, and nuclear science.

5. How is the momentum of a proton related to its kinetic energy?

The momentum of a proton is directly related to its kinetic energy, which is the energy it possesses due to its motion. As the velocity of a proton increases, so does its momentum and kinetic energy. The relationship between momentum and kinetic energy is given by the equation p = √(2mE), where E is the kinetic energy and m is the mass of the proton.

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