How Does Speed Affect Conductivity?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the relationship between speed and conductivity in conductors, particularly at relativistic speeds. Marius questions whether a conductor moving at half the speed of light (c/2) would behave as a semiconductor and how speed impacts conductivity. Zz suggests that the increased mass of electrons at high speeds could influence conductivity, referencing Einstein's theory of relativity. However, it is noted that the mass increase is minimal and that physical properties are typically measured in the rest frame of the object. The conversation highlights the complexities of understanding conductivity in the context of high-speed movement and relativity.
M0rris82
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Is the conductivity affected by the speed? Let's suppose that one linear conductor is going with c/2 speed which it's axis indicate the direction of speed. What will be the conductivity of this conductor in this case? The conductor will behave as an semiconductor?

Marius
 
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There's no such thing as a perfect conductor ; some materials have a very low band gap.
The band gap ,being the energy difference,obviously changes with speed. (Such shifts have been observed.)
 
M0rris82 said:
Is the conductivity affected by the speed? Let's suppose that one linear conductor is going with c/2 speed which it's axis indicate the direction of speed. What will be the conductivity of this conductor in this case? The conductor will behave as an semiconductor?

Marius

This is a rather strange question that will require that you explain yourself a bit more, especially the context. Why would the speed that the conductor is moving affect its conductivity? Is this viewed in the context of special relativity? Or is there a part of solid state physics that you're aiming for?

Zz.
 
One of the point view, the electrons will have a bigger mass when the conductor is moving with speeds comparable with c, that could affect the conductivity. Is this point of view correct, taking in consideration the Einstein relativity theory?
 
M0rris82 said:
One of the point view, the electrons will have a bigger mass when the conductor is moving with speeds comparable with c, that could affect the conductivity. Is this point of view correct, taking in consideration the Einstein relativity theory?

The increase in "mass" for electrons is very small, even when it gets close to c. We hardly need to do a lot of mass corrections even for electron accelerators. Furthermore, as with any of the physical properties, the only non-ambiguous values are the ones one measures in the rest frame of the object. When we give you all the masses of various elementary particles that you can find in the Particle Data Book, you'll notice that they don't cite at what speed or velocity these are measured.

Zz.
 
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