Does Relativistic Mass Increase with Speed?

[pmb]

First off regarding the comment

E=mc2 where m is relativistic mass represents the Total Internal Energy of any mass m,..

This isn't quite right. The internal energy is the energy inherent to the particle itself - i.e. E_o = m_o*c^2 = rest energy.

Note: The quantity gamma*m_o*c^2 is not the total energy of a moving particle of proper mass m_o. It's the kinetic energy plus the rest energy. The total energy is the kinetic + rest + potential.

See --- www.geocities.com/physics_world/relativistic_energy.htm

Regarding the comment

Can one still get away with talking about relativistic mass?
I thought the current generation of physics custodians give one the back of the handle for saying that.
I hope the answer is YES.

Sure. You can always talk about relativistic mass. Many physicists still do. Even recent GR books do. There are no "custodians" in physics. There is an entire spectrum of ideas and opinions. It just so happens that the con-relativistic mass people are more apt to try to force their ideas on others. The pro-relativistic mass people know that it's a matter of definition and use it was they see fit.

Don't let them fool you though. Relativistic mass is the closest thing you'll get to the having the all the properties one normaly associates with mass.

Pete

 

[quartodeciman]

Thanks, Pete. I feel better already.

 

[pmb]

Originally posted by quartodeciman
Thanks, Pete. I feel better already.

Glad to help. If you'd like I can scan a few articles in and e-mail them to you. One is a response by Wolfgang Rindler (a well known relativist) who wrote and article for Physics today defending relativistic mass. There is another one from the American Journal of Physics called "In defense of relativistic mass" that you might enjoy.

Just e-mail me at peter.brown46@verizon.net

I can also send you the paper I'm writing on this very concept. It's in a good enough stage that I don't mind letting someone read it at this point.

Pete