- #1
em3ry
Gold Member
- 63
- 18
A stationary observer sees a particle moving north at velocity v very close to the speed of light. Then the observer accelerates eastward to velocity v. What is its new total velocity of the particle toward the north-west relative to the observer?
I ask because while the particles total velocity will be higher its velocity northward will be lower. It is counterintuitive that accelerating a particle in one direction will decrease its velocity in another.
Will its momentum in the north direction also be lower? I am sure it won't but why not? (because gamma increases?). How does the math work out?
I ask because while the particles total velocity will be higher its velocity northward will be lower. It is counterintuitive that accelerating a particle in one direction will decrease its velocity in another.
Will its momentum in the north direction also be lower? I am sure it won't but why not? (because gamma increases?). How does the math work out?