If an object increases its speed such that its total energy is doubled, what happens to its relativistic momentum?
A) The momentum is doubled.
B) The momentum is more than doubled.
C) The momentum is less than doubled.
D) The momentum is quadrupled.
E) Nothing happens to the momentum.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to the equation for total relativistic energy (E=γmc^2), if the energy is doubled, then the factor γ (Lorentz factor) must also double. This means that the velocity of the object is increased, and therefore its relativistic momentum (p=γmv) is also increased. Since the momentum is proportional to the velocity, it will be more than doubled.

If an Object Increases Its Speed Such That Its Total