Expressions ForTotal Energy And Relativistic Kinetic Energy At Low Speeds In Special Relativity Must Include Rotational And Vibrational As Well As Linear Kinetic Energies

ORAL

Abstract

Einstein calculated the total energy at low speeds in the Special Theory of Relativity to be $E_{total}= m_0c^2 + 1/2m_0v^2.$ However, the total energy must include the rotational and vibrational kinetic energies as well as the linear kinetic energies. If $1/2I\omega^2$ is the expression for the rotational kinetic energy of mass and $1/2kx_0^2$ is the vibrational kinetic energy expression of a typical mass, the expression for the total energy of a mass at low speeds must be $E_{total}= m_0c^2 + 1/2m_0v^2 + 1/2I\omega^2 + 1/2kx_0^2.$ If this expression is correct, the relativistic kinetic energy of a mass. at low speeds must include the rotational and vibrational kinetic energies as well as the linear kinetic energies since according to Einstein $K=(m-m_0)c^2$ and therefore, $K= 1/2m_0v^2 + 1/2I\omega^2 + 1/2kx_0^2.$

Authors

  • Stewart Brekke

    Northeastern Illinois University (former grad student)