Special Relativity - Relativistic Momentum

If the total energy of a particle of mass m is equal to twice its rest energy, then the magnitude of the particle’s relativistic momentum is

A. mc/2
B. mc/√2
C. mc
D. √3mc
E. 2mc
(GR0177 #32)
Solution:

Rest Energy: E0 = m0c2

Relativistic Energy:  E2 = p2c2 + m02c4

Given: m0 = m and E = 2E0

p2c2 + m2c4 = 4E02 = 4m2c4
p2 = 3m2c2
p = √3mc

Answer: D

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