Prachi K.
asked • 08/22/19Electron ejection
Two electrons are ejected in opposite directions from radioactive atoms in a sample of radioactive material at rest in the laboratory. Each electron has a speed of 0.67c as measured by a laboratory observer. What is the speed of one electron as measured from the other, according to the classical velocity addition theorem?
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1 Expert Answer
Ignoring relativistic effects then the velocity of one electron with respect to the other is 2*.67c=1.33c. However, relativity tells us this is not possible and no mass can exceed c
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Paul F.
As Stephen H said, the relative velocities would be 1.34c and speeds above c are not possible for any mass or energy. BUT these electrons can move apart at 1.34c just as two beams of light can move in opposite directions, each at speed c, and thus their relative velocities would be 2c. ..... and speed really is properly called velocity, a vector, because direction is as important as magnitude in Physics.08/24/19