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Special relativity (A-level only)

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Question 4
1.

Table 1 shows data of speed vvv and kinetic energy EkE_kEk​ for electrons from a high-energy physics experiment.

Table 1

v/108textms−1v / 10^{8}\\text{ m s}^{-1}v/108textms−1Ek/textMeVE_k / \\text{MeV}Ek​/textMeV
2.552.552.550.450.450.45
2.702.702.700.650.650.65
2.852.852.851.201.201.20
2.952.952.952.502.502.50
2.9852.9852.9855.505.505.50

Classical mechanics predicts that Ekproptov2E_k \\propto v^2Ek​proptov2.

Deduce whether the data in Table 1 are consistent with this prediction.

[3]
2.

Discuss how Einstein's theory of special relativity explains the data in Table 1.

[4]
3.

Calculate, in J, the kinetic energy of an electron travelling at a speed of 0.93c0.93c0.93c.

(Take the rest mass of an electron as me=9.11times10−31textkgm_e = 9.11 \\times 10^{-31}\\text{ kg}me​=9.11times10−31textkg and the speed of light in a vacuum as c=3.00times108textms−1c = 3.00 \\times 10^8\\text{ m s}^{-1}c=3.00times108textms−1.)

[4]
Markscheme

Special relativity (A-level only) Questions

  1. A Level
  2. /Physics
  3. /Special relativity (A-level only)

22 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Physics Special relativity (A-level only), covering The Michelson-Morley experiment (A-level only), Einstein's theory of special relativity (A-level only), Time dilation (A-level only), Length contraction (A-level only), and Mass and energy (A-level only). Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.

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