n elecron\'s mass is 0.511 MeV/c, while a proton\'s mass is 938.3 MeV/c, which i

Question

n elecron's mass is 0.511 MeV/c, while a proton's mass is 938.3 MeV/c, which is about (938.5 Mevic) (0.511 MeV/c) 1800 times larger. So a roton traveling at a low speed of 1 m/s would have roughly the same momentum as an electron traveling at 1800 m/s. But since neither particle can reach the speed of light, it would seem impossible for an electron to have the same momentum as a re 0.5c, for example. It definitely is possible, though. Explain why. The explanation will involve examining equations, but should not involve any calculations or algebra. You're welcome to find the electron's speed for practice, of course, but leave practice work out of your solution. lativistic proton-one traveling at 0.1c, or

Explanation / Answer

We can add energy to electron to increase its speed. But as it's speed increases its mass will automatically increase.

So as we add energy , the electron go faster but as we get it to close to the speed of proton , we will find that we have to add even more energy just to bump it a bit faster. Because mass will increase and kinetic energy required will be more. So the electron won't be able to achieve the speed of proton. It could achieve at most 90% the speed of proton but after that it will become highly massive to increase its speed.

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