2007-01-28 07:39:56 · 7 answers · asked by goring 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Well, you can follow what happens as the electron's velocity increases with this equation
M = m/(1-(v^2/c^2))^(1/2)
m = mass of electron at rest
v = final velocity of the electron
c = speed of light
As you can see, the mass of the electron increases as its velocity increases. So, the mass of the electron grows *without bound* as v approaches c. The amount of energy to increase the velocity of the electron also increases without bound.
In other words, one cannot accelerate an electron to c. So, it isn't clear what one means by assuming one can. It is sort of paradoxical, I admit, that one can conceive of a "thought experiment" which seems like it asserts something, but actually doesn't assert anything.
HTH
Charles
2007-01-28 08:23:22 · answer #1 · answered by Charles 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer is that the premise of the question is wrong. One can not accelerate an electron to the speed of light.
That is the problem with infinities. An electron has mass and if one were to approach the speed of light the mass of the electron would increase without bound. It is for that reason that there is not enough energy available to drive an electron in any device including a cyclotron to actually reach the speed of light. Photons in light have no mass and so they always travel at the ultimate speed limit that we call the speed of light.
2007-01-28 15:51:46 · answer #2 · answered by anonimous 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have the same question because I read that a electron can be accelerated to the speed of light in a cyclotron.
my guess to answer your question is that the mass will not be infinite because the equation tha predict it will (e=mc^2) does not apply to subatomic particles. What will happen in that case should be explain with quantum physics (the physics of subatomic particles).
2007-01-29 00:36:37 · answer #3 · answered by chess_e4_pr 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In theory it would have infinite mass. Mathematically the mass would have to be one divided by zero, which isn't allowed. Or you could say infinite. Or you could say undefined. That is just one of the reasons you can't do that.
2007-01-28 16:38:26 · answer #4 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mother nature has already answered that question. A black hole produces a gravity well of 10 to 100 light years across. .
2007-01-28 17:48:59 · answer #5 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Electons are travelling at almost the speed of light, why would the mass increase?
2007-01-28 15:44:24 · answer #6 · answered by science teacher 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Bigger ... MUCH bigger ... infinity bigger ...
2007-01-28 17:09:29 · answer #7 · answered by morningfoxnorth 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋