In a particle accelerator, you accelerate an electron. Afterwards, you measure it's energy to be 350 keV. Tell my why you can't find the speed from this energy using your knowledge of classical mechanics.

In order to see what the problem is, I will attempt to find this speed. 350keV=5.6110-14 J Ek=1/2 * mv2 =>  v=sqrt(2Ek/m) By plugging in numbers, we find that the velocity of the electron, v=3.51108. This velocity is bigger then the speed of light c=3108, and it is a known fact that nothing can travel faster than light. This means that relativistic effects must've taken place, which prevented the particle from reaching the speed of light, but allowed it to have such a high energy.

CP
Answered by Cezar P. Physics tutor

2340 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Water flows through an electric shower at a rate of 6kg per minute. Assuming no heat is transferred to the surroundings, what power is required to heat the water by 20K as it flow through the shower?


Show that gravitational force within a nuclei is negilible compared with the electric repulsion.


What determines the frequency of oscillation of a (loaded) spring?


An alpha particle is accelerated with 5MeV of kinetic energy towards the nucleus of a gold atom with atomic number 79. What is the distance of closest approach that is reached by the alpha particle?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning