Solve relativistic velocity in terms of momentum (vector equation)

Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on solving the relativistic velocity vector equation given by \vec{p}=\frac{m_0}{\sqrt{1-\frac{|\vec{v}|^2}{c^2}}}\vec{v}. The user seeks to isolate \vec{v} for numerical approximations in relativistic motion problems, considering the equation's non-linear nature. A proposed method involves splitting the equation into three components based on the squared magnitudes of the velocity vector. The solution provided indicates that \vec{v} can be expressed as \vec{v}=\frac{\vec{p}}{\sqrt{m_0^2+\frac{|\vec{p}|^2}{c^2}}}, simplifying the process of solving for \vec{v}. This approach effectively addresses the complexity of the original vector equation.
winstonyin
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Given the formula \vec{p}=\frac{m_0}{\sqrt{1-\frac{|\vec{v}|^2}{c^2}}}\vec{v}, I'd like to make \vec{v} the subject, so I can do a numerical approximation for some relativistic motion problem. I want to treat it as a vector equation, but since it is non-linear, the only way I can think of is to split it into 3 equations with |\vec{v}|^2=v_x^2+v_y^2+v_z^2. This is however very complicated, though Mathematica gave me the answer analogous to the equation with only magnitudes of the vectors. Is there a simple way I can solve such kind of vector equations?

Edited 3 Dec:
Solution: \vec{v}=\frac{\vec{p}}{\sqrt{m_0^2+\frac{|\vec{p}|^2}{c^2}}}
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
1. Square the equation to get p^2=f(v^2).
2. Solve this for v^2=g(p^2).
3. Put this nto the square root to replace the v^2 by p^2.
4. Rewrite the original equation with the new square root.
 
MOVING CLOCKS In this section, we show that clocks moving at high speeds run slowly. We construct a clock, called a light clock, using a stick of proper lenght ##L_0##, and two mirrors. The two mirrors face each other, and a pulse of light bounces back and forth betweem them. Each time the light pulse strikes one of the mirrors, say the lower mirror, the clock is said to tick. Between successive ticks the light pulse travels a distance ##2L_0## in the proper reference of frame of the clock...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
4K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
1K
  • · Replies 55 ·
2
Replies
55
Views
6K