Donut approaching the speed of light

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relativistic effects experienced by a spinning donut as it approaches the speed of light, specifically at 186,000 miles per second. As objects near this speed, their mass increases towards infinity while their volume decreases, leading to length contraction in the direction of travel. The analogy of a spinning disk is used to illustrate that each section of the donut experiences different tangential speeds, resulting in a nonlinear contraction that prevents the disk from remaining flat. This phenomenon is linked to non-Euclidean geometry in Special Relativity (SR) and requires General Relativity (GR) for a comprehensive understanding.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Special Relativity (SR)
  • Familiarity with General Relativity (GR)
  • Knowledge of relativistic mass and length contraction
  • Concept of non-Euclidean geometry
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of Special Relativity and its implications on mass and velocity
  • Explore General Relativity and its relationship with rotating bodies
  • Investigate the mathematics behind length contraction and its nonlinear characteristics
  • Examine the concept of non-Euclidean geometry in the context of relativistic physics
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of theoretical physics, and anyone interested in the implications of relativity on rotating objects and their behavior at relativistic speeds.

Namloh2000
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donut approaching the speed of light!

okay so as bodies approach the speed of light their mass gets bigger and bigger, approaching infinity - and their volume gets smaller and smaller, approaching nothing - a things length will get shorter and shorter as it approaches 186,000 miles per second - in the direction that the object is traveling.

OK - so let's say i had a donut that was spinning very fast, approaching the speed of light... what would happen knowing that things squish in the direction they are traveling as they approach the speed of light?
 
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I replied to this on PM, but I'll repeat it here. The classic problem that is similar to your donut is the spinning disk. Each circular section of the disk is moving at its own tangential speed relative to the unmoving center, and yes, they do contract according to the formula. The formula is nonlinear so the contraction can't keep the disk flat, but there is no vertical force on it to bend it. This is taken as an appearance of noneuclidean geometry in SR. The full discussion of the spinning disck requires GR. I presume the same applies to your spinning donut.
 

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