All Problems

Relativistic Mechanics

Problem 1.377

A sphere moves with a relativistic velocity vv through a gas whose unit volume contains nn slowly moving particles, each of mass mm. Find the pressure pp exerted by the gas on a spherical surface element perpendicular to the velocity of the sphere, provided that the particles scatter elastically. Show that the pressure is the same both in the reference frame fixed to the sphere and in the reference frame fixed to the gas.

Reveal Answer
p=2nmv2/(1v2/c2)p=2 n m v^{2} /\left(1-v^{2} / c^{2}\right)