E=mc2 | If something has near zero mass, can it move?

  • Thread starter Thread starter OSF
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    E=mc2 Mass Zero
OSF
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Ok, I'm still only in high school (UK) and we haven't covered Quantum Physics yet, but I know a thing or two; however, don't get mad if I get something wrong.

So here's my question:

Am I correct by saying that if something has let's say theoretically 0 or near 0 mass it would not be able to move/accelerate? If so, how do electrons move, for example, when being fired from a source/or just orbiting a nucleus? Is that another reason towards electrons behaving as waves?

Do correct me, if I have made mistakes - I am still trying to learn new things. Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF.

Objects of zero mass only travel at C. Objects with non-zero mass can travel at any speed below C.
 
Why would something with near 0 mass not be able to move? I suspect you're seeing something that isn't there with E=mc^2...
 
Thread 'Can this experiment break Lorentz symmetry?'

Thread 'Can this experiment break Lorentz symmetry?'

1. The Big Idea: According to Einstein’s relativity, all motion is relative. You can’t tell if you’re moving at a constant velocity without looking outside. But what if there is a universal “rest frame” (like the old idea of the “ether”)? This experiment tries to find out by looking for tiny, directional differences in how objects move inside a sealed box. 2. How It Works: The Two-Stage Process Imagine a perfectly isolated spacecraft (our lab) moving through space at some unknown speed V...
View full post »

Thread 'Relativator (Circular Slide-Rule): Simulated with Desmos - Insight'

Insights auto threads is broken atm, so I'm manually creating these for new Insight articles. The Relativator was sold by (as printed) Atomic Laboratories, Inc. 3086 Claremont Ave, Berkeley 5, California , which seems to be a division of Cenco Instruments (Central Scientific Company)... Source: https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/relativator-circular-slide-rule-simulated-with-desmos/ by @robphy
View full post »

Thread '1-Way Speed of Light'

Does the speed of light change in a gravitational field depending on whether the direction of travel is parallel to the field, or perpendicular to the field? And is it the same in both directions at each orientation? This question could be answered experimentally to some degree of accuracy. Experiment design: Place two identical clocks A and B on the circumference of a wheel at opposite ends of the diameter of length L. The wheel is positioned upright, i.e., perpendicular to the ground...
View full post »

Similar threads

E=MC^2 Explained: Photon Mass & Energy
Replies
10
Views
2K
I Energy Density in E Field: Does it Contribute to Inertial Mass?
Replies
16
Views
2K
I Is Photon Mass Zero or Relativistic in Nature?
Replies
27
Views
5K
B Theories about light and time near a black hole
Replies
20
Views
2K
Is E=mc2 Related to Zeno's Paradox?
Replies
30
Views
6K
Interpretation of Einstein's E=mc2 paper
Replies
4
Views
4K
Questions about E=mc^2 - Understanding the Complexity
Replies
25
Views
7K
B Why does it require an infinite amount of energy to reach the speed of light?
3
Replies
130
Views
13K
I Could it be that the photon has a non-zero mass?
Replies
29
Views
3K
Bohr model and relativistic electron mass
Replies
7
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top