Einstein Mass-Energy Equation: Will Mass Change?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the implications of Einstein's mass-energy equation, E=mc², particularly regarding whether mass changes as objects approach the speed of light. Participants explore concepts related to mass, energy, and the behavior of particles under relativistic conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that an object moving at the speed of light loses mass, which transforms into energy, and questions if providing energy back to the object would change its mass.
  • Another participant corrects this premise, stating that no object with mass can achieve the speed of light.
  • There is a reiteration of the definition of 'c' in the equation E=mc² as the speed of light, but a challenge is made regarding the deductions drawn from this formula.
  • Participants question whether particles lose mass when traveling at the speed of light, with one asserting that massless particles, like photons, travel at this speed, while massive particles cannot reach it.
  • Further inquiries are made about whether electrons and protons lose mass as they approach the speed of light, with a response indicating that they gain energy, often referred to as "relativistic mass," as they near this speed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the implications of mass change at relativistic speeds, with some asserting that mass does not decrease, while others question the initial premises regarding mass and speed. The discussion remains unresolved with competing views presented.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the definitions of mass and energy, as well as the assumptions about particle behavior at relativistic speeds. The distinction between massless and massive particles is also a point of contention.

pap123456
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according to the theory, when an object is moving in the speed of light, the object will lose it mass and the lost mass will transform into energy.so when the object is moving,if we provide the same energy the object losses to it, will the mass of the object changes?
 
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Your initial premise about relativity is in error. No object with mass can achieve the speed of light.
 
But accoring to the equation E=mc^2 , isn't that c is refer to the speed of light?
 
pap123456 said:
But accoring to the equation E=mc^2 , isn't that c is refer to the speed of light?
Yes. But you cannot deduce from the formula what you have tried to deduce.
 
But isn't the particles losing it's mass when it is traveling in he speed of light?
 
pap123456 said:
But isn't the particles losing it's mass when it is traveling in he speed of light?
No.
Massless particles (bosons), such as photons, always travel at the speed of light.
Massive particles (fermions), such as electrons or protons, can never reach the speed of light.

You can annihilate massive particles, which will release a burst of photons, and those photons will move away from the interaction at the speed of light. But you don't start with massive particles and accelerate them to c.
 
OK, thanks dude,but i wanmaask if eectroms and protons will lose mass when they approch8ngthe sped of light?
 
pap123456 said:
i wanmaask if eectroms and protons will lose mass when they approch8ngthe sped of light?

No. Particles gain mass (more precisely, they gain energy, which is one possible meaning of the term "mass"--usually the term "relativistic mass" is used for this) as they approach the speed of light. Please review the following links for more information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_in_special_relativity

http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/SR/mass.html

I'm closing this thread since this is a very basic issue and you should take some time to study it before asking further here. If you still have questions once you've studied, please open a new thread.
 

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