Answer to Question #5965 in Mechanics | Relativity for Sam Thompson

Question

I visited physics2012.com several days ago and that site showed an experiment that tested a prediction made by the Work-Energy Theorem. It failed telling me and that told me that there is something wrong. That site also showed the sort of experiments other sites give as proof for the work-energy theorem and the mistake such places make. Is it possible that there is something wrong with work, kinetic energy? I'm considering changing my major now. Please help.

Answer 1

E=1/2*mV^2 - this equation is wrong. It works only when V<<c (speed of light). IN relativistic case we should use this equation:

E = mc^2/sqrt(1-V^2/c^2). Maybe because of this the prediction was wrong?