But what changes when they accelerate to relativistic speeds.
Is there a formula to expain that?
2006-07-17 03:54:48 · 4 answers · asked by goring 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Let us bring into a discussion an equation E=mc^2, made famous by Albert Einstein. This equation means that if a mass can reach a speed of light it will become pure energy. Our friend Albert also employed Lorentz transformations to describe the relationship of mass and mass that is moving with speed approaching the sped of light.
Mass at the speed of light m = L m0
Where L= 1/(sqrt(1-(v/c)^2) or Lorentz factor and m0 is mass at rest.
PS photons do not exist at rest.
2006-07-17 05:38:56 · answer #1 · answered by Edward 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are two types of particle in nature
massive particles are those that make up matter and have a mss even when at rest - think protons, neutrons and electrons
massless particles only exist when travelling at the speed of light
the reason the term zero rest mass is used is because they do have momentum, and people like to associate (incorrectly) momentum with mass - these particles simply have no mass and can only exist when travelling at the speed of light
2006-07-17 11:06:44 · answer #2 · answered by Epidavros 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Photons are always moving with the speed of light. Therefore their rest mass is zero.
2006-07-17 12:30:41 · answer #3 · answered by Paul Atreides 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THE SPEED OF LIGHT STILL HAS FORCES ON ALL SIDES SO THEY COULD STILL BE LOOKED AT IF 360 DEGREE CHAMBER OF SPACE TIME WAS SIMULATED MOVING
2006-07-17 12:17:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋