Relativity Theory A moving object has energy, called

Chapter , Problem P.2.139

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Relativity Theory A moving object has energy, called kinetic energy, because of its motion. The Theory of Relativity, mentioned on page 1, uses the following formula for kinetic energy. When the speed of an object is much less than the speed of light ( meters per second) the formula is used. In each formula, is the velocity of the object in meters per second, is its rest mass in kilograms, and is the speed of light given previously. In a. through e., calculate the percent error for each of the given velocities. The formula for percent error is a. meters per second (speed of a speeding car on an expressway) b. meters per second (speed of a commercial jet) c. meters per second (10% of the speed of light) d. meters per second (50% of the speed of light) e. meters per second (90% of the speed of light) f. Use your answers from a. through e. to explain why the formula for kinetic energy given by is adequate for most of our common experiences involving motion (walking, running, bicycling, driving, flying, and so on). g. According to the Theory of Relativity, a particle (such as an electron or a spacecraft) cannot reach the speed of light. Explain why the equation for suggests such a conclusion.