Any particle,(with mass), get closer to C than the electron?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on whether any particle with mass can approach the speed of light in a vacuum more closely than an electron. Participants explore the implications of mass, energy, and the speed of light, particularly in the context of relativistic physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if any particle with mass can exceed the speed of light in a vacuum compared to the electron.
  • Another participant asserts that any particle with mass can get arbitrarily close to the speed of light with sufficient energy.
  • There is a query about whether the electron is the fastest particle with mass or if there are others that could achieve higher speeds given the same energy.
  • A participant mentions that neutrinos, which have much smaller mass, could potentially travel faster than electrons for a given amount of energy.
  • Gravitons are also mentioned as possibly having small mass, but the focus remains on neutrinos as a relevant comparison.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether the electron holds the velocity record for particles with mass, with some suggesting neutrinos may be faster. The discussion remains unresolved regarding which particle, if any, can approach the speed of light more closely than the electron.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of energy input for achieving high velocities and discuss the implications of mass on speed, but do not resolve the specifics of mass comparisons or the conditions under which these particles operate.

jmatejka
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Any particle,(with mass), get closer to "C" than the electron?

I thought about this the other day, the question is exactly as stated in the title. Anything, with mass, able to get closer to the speed of light,(in a vacuum), than the electron can? Positron has same mass, same relativistic velocity potential?

Obviously Cherenkov radiation is a unique example where the electron exceeds the speed of light in a given mediuim. But my question is "in a vacuum".

Thanks, John
 
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Any particle with mass can get arbitrarily close to the speed of light - it's a matter of putting in enough energy.
 


Vanadium 50 said:
Any particle with mass can get arbitrarily close to the speed of light - it's a matter of putting in enough energy.

I guess my question is, for a given amount of energy, does anything get closer to "C" than the electron. Is the electron the fastest, or perhaps have the lowest mass of any particle with "mass"?

What holds the velocity record for a particle with mass, the electron?
 
Last edited:


jmatejka said:
I guess my question is, for a given amount of energy, does anything get closer to "C" than the electron. Is the electron the fastest, or perhaps have the lowest mass of any particle with "mass"?

What holds the velocity record for a particle with mass, the electron?

As pointed out by Vanadium 50 its a matter of putting in enough energy.It is relatively easy to do this with charged particles for example in accelerators.What holds the velocity record?Interesting question and I don't know the answer but my guess is that it is electrons,or perhaps, protons.Hopefully someone will come in with an answer.
 


jmatejka said:
I guess my question is, for a given amount of energy, does anything get closer to "C" than the electron. Is the electron the fastest, or perhaps have the lowest mass of any particle with "mass"?

No, there are neutrinos with much smaller mass (if any) so for a given amount of energy a neutrino will be faster.

Also gravitons may have some small mass but think first of neutrino - they exist for sure.
 


Bob_for_short said:
No, there are neutrinos with much smaller mass (if any) so for a given amount of energy a neutrino will be faster.

Also gravitons may have some small mass but think first of neutrino - they exist for sure.

Bingo! just what I was looking for, Thanks!
 

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