An electron of mass 9.11 x 10^-31 kg has a momentum of 3.64 x 10^-22 kg·m/s.What is its speed? A)0.467 c B)0.632 c C)0.800 c D)It cannot have this momentum since it would require a speed greater than c.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The momentum of the electron is given by:

p = mv

where:
p = 3.64 x 10^-22 kg·m/s
m = 9.11 x 10^-31 kg
v = speed of the electron

Solving for v:

v = p/m = (3.64 x 10^-22 kg·m/s) / (9.11 x 10^-31 kg)
v = 3.99 x 10^8 m/s

The speed of light is approximately 3.00 x 10^8 m/s, so we can calculate the speed of the electron relative to the speed of light:

v/c = (3.99 x 10^8 m/s) / (3.00 x 10^8 m/s) = 1.33

Therefore, the electron is traveling at 1.33 times the speed of light, or 0.800 c. Answer choice C is correct.

An Electron of Mass 9