What is the momentum of a 850 MeV proton that is its kineti
What is the momentum of a 850 - MeV proton (that is, its kinetic energy is 850 MeV)? Express your answer using two significant figures. p = GeV/c
Solution
for proton, m0 = 1.673 x 10^-27 kg
KE= (Y - 1 )m0 c^2
(850 MeV) (10^6 x 1.6 x 10^-19 J / MeV) = (Y - 1) (1.673 x 10^-27) (3 x 10^8)^2
Y - 1 = 0.903
Y = 1.903
and Y = 1 / sqrt[ 1- (v/c)^2] = 1.903
1 - (v/c)^2 = 0.276
v = 0.85c
momentum, p = Y m0 v
p = 1.903 x 1.673 x 10^-27 x 0.85 x 3 x 10^8
p = 8.126 x 10^-19 kg m / s
p = (8.126 x 10^-19) (3 x 10^8) / (1.6 x 10^-19 x 10^9) GeV/c
p = 1.524 GeV/c
