How much energy would be required to accelerate a 77. kg professor from rest to 90% the speed of light? A) 2.3 mc² B) 1.3 mc² C) 0.30 mc² D) 0.50 mc² E) 0.41 mc²

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The energy required is given by the relativistic kinetic energy formula: $ KE = (\gamma - 1)mc^2 $, where $\gamma = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-v^2/c^2}}$. For $v = 0.9c$, $\gamma \approx 2.294$, so $ KE \approx (2.294 - 1)mc^2 = 1.294mc^2 \approx 1.3mc^2$.

How Much Energy Would Be Required to Accelerate a 77