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The point of this question is to compare rest energy and kinetic energy at high speeds. An alpha particle (a helium nucleus) is moving at a speed of 0.9992 times the speed of light. Its mass is 6.40 × 10 ⁻²⁷kg.

User Kkov
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Final answer:

The question involves the comparison of rest energy and relativistic kinetic energy for an alpha particle moving at a high velocity near the speed of light. Rest energy is given by E=mc^2, while relativistic kinetic energy is calculated using a more complex formula due to the effects of special relativity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question posed concerns the relativistic effects on kinetic energy when objects move at velocities that are a significant fraction of the speed of light. Specifically, it involves an alpha particle (a helium nucleus) moving at 0.9992 times the speed of light, with a mass of 6.40 × 10−27 kg. The question asks for a comparison between rest energy (energy due to mass) and kinetic energy (energy due to motion) at such high speeds.

Rest energy is given by Einstein's famous equation E=mc2, where 'E' is the rest energy, 'm' is the mass of the object, and 'c' is the speed of light. For objects moving at speeds close to the speed of light, the kinetic energy can no longer be accurately calculated with the classical formula ½mv2 and instead requires the relativistic kinetic energy formula: K=(√1-(v/c)2*m-m)c2, where 'v' is the particle's velocity and 'm' is its rest mass.

User Suresh Nagar
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