When one compares the relativistic kinetic energy to the classically calculated kinetic energy for a moving object,at which of the speeds listed below does the classical calculation give a greater value than the relativistic calculation?
A)0.2c
B)0.5c
C)0.707c
D)None of the above values will give such a result.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The classical calculation of kinetic energy always gives a lesser value than the relativistic calculation when the speed of the object is a significant fraction of the speed of light (c). This is because relativistic effects, which include time dilation and length contraction, become significant at high speeds, causing the relativistic kinetic energy to be higher than the classical kinetic energy. Therefore, at none of the speeds listed will the classical calculation give a greater value than the relativistic calculation.

When One Compares the Relativistic Kinetic Energy to the Classically