B.

Tech Physics

Chapter 1
Theory of Relativity

Lecture 1.6
Concept of Relativistic Momentum/Variation of mass
with velocity:

The conservation of linear momentum states that when two

bodies collide, the total momentum remains constant,
assuming the bodies are isolated.

Suppose the collision is described in a reference frame S in

which momentum is conserved.
If the velocities of the colliding bodies are calculated in a
second inertial frame S’ using the Lorentz
transformation, and the classical definition of momentum
p = mu applied, one finds that momentum is not
conserved in the second reference frame.

However, because the laws of physics are the same in all

inertial frames, and that should also be for law of
Conservation of momentum.
We consider a collision between two particles of equal mass.
In frame S, we assume the particles approach each other at
Speed v and after collison, stick to each other and come
to rest.

Fig (a) for frame S

Now, we view the collision from frame S’ which is
Moving with velocity v along x-axis.

Fig (b) for frame S’

Let the velocities observed from frame S’ are v1’,

v2’ before collision.

After collision the velocity is V’.

The velocities observed from S’are,

Now, applying momentum conservation in frame S’, we get

Note that momentum before collision is not same as after

collision. So momentum is not conserved in S’frame.
However, if we modify the definition of momentum to,

Then is can be shown that the momentum will be conserved

in both S and S’.

In above, u is the velocity of particle. m is proper mass of

particle. This is also called the rest mass. This is the mass
of object measured by an observer who is at rest w.r.t. m.
Comparison of relativistic and non-relativistic momentum
Note that some time rest mass is also denoted by m0 and
is related to the mass of object in motion by relation,

m(u) = m0
 Relativistic force : 2nd law in relativistic form:

Note that the result is different from classical formula F = ma. Because
in above γ is function of v.

However when then we have γ much less then one

and we get the classical formula.
Einstein mass energy relation: The relation E = mc2 is known as
Einstein mass-energy relation. It says that the mass can be converted
into energy and vice-versa.

Proof: The work done, W on an object by a constant force F because

of which the object moves through distance s in direction of force is
given by,

W = Fs --------(1)

If no other force acts on the object and object starts from the rest
then the whole work done converts into K.E. i.e. KE = Fs.

In general when force is not constant then the K.E. is,

------------(2)
In the non-relativistic case the Kinetic energy of an object of mass m
and speed v is (mv 2/2).

To get the relativistic form of the K.E. We shall use the relativistic
Form of 2nd law of motion i.e.

-------(3)
Integrating by part
We get
Above eq. Says that the kinetic energy of an object is
equal to the increase in its mass due to its relativistic
motion multiplied by the square of the speed of the
light.

If KE is zero i.e. Object is at rest, then object still have

some energy which depend upon mass m. This is called
rest mass energy.
Thus we write,
Above Einstein mass-energy relation ship says that the mass can be
created or destroyed but when this happens an equivalent amount
Of energy simultaneously vanishes or comes into being and
Vice-versa.

Mass and energy are different aspects of same thing.

Exercise: Consider the collision between two bodies of mass
m such that after collision total mass become M. For detail
see article on relativistic momentum. Applying the law
Of conservation of energy and also relativistic expression
for total energy, we have
Exercise: For the collision discussed in the section on
relativistic momentum, show that the momentum will
be conserved in both frame S and S’, if we use the
relativistic definition of momentum

Hint: In your calculations use M as derived in last exercise

i.e.
Relativistic energy-momentum relationship:
Consider an object of relativistic mass m and moving with velocity v.
Its momentum is
------------(1)

The relativistic mass is given by

-----------(2)

Using (2) in (1) and squaring both side, we get

Last eq. further can be written as

--------------(3)

Also we know Einstein mass-energy relation is

---------(4)
Using (3) in (4) we have

------(5)
Concept of massless particles:

The momentum of the particle is defined by

And energy is

E =

Now if m0 = 0 and v<c, then E = p = 0.

It means if a mass-less particle with speed less then the speed of light
exist than that particle will possess neither energy nor momentum.
However, when m0 = 0 and v = c, than E = 0/0 and p = 0/0, which
mean the energy and momentum are indeterminate and can possess
any values. Thus a mass-less particle with finite value of E and p can
exist provided they move with the speed of light.

Example : Photons are mass-less particle which move with speed c

and have rest mass zero.

The total energy of such particles (using

and m0 = 0),

Energy, E = pc

Momentum p = E/c
Exercise:

 Write the expression for relativistic kinetic energy and show

that in non-relativistic limit it reduces to usual ½ m 0v2 formula.