How does the theory of relativity explain changes in mass and energy?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of the theory of relativity on mass and energy, particularly focusing on the relationship between rest mass, kinetic energy, and the energy of emitted radiation. Participants explore how relativistic effects influence these concepts, including the relativistic Doppler shift and the total energy of a particle.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the equation E=mc^2 represents the rest energy of a particle and does not account for kinetic energy.
  • Others question whether relativistic effects on mass influence the energies of emitted radiation.
  • A participant introduces the concept of the relativistic Doppler shift, suggesting it affects emitted radiation but is independent of the mass of the emitting object.
  • There is a claim that the full energy equation E^2 = (mc^2)^2 + (pc)^2 should be used to account for momentum and changes in velocity, indicating a more comprehensive view of energy in motion.
  • Some participants emphasize the distinction between rest mass and total energy, with one stating that mc^2 includes kinetic energy when considering moving objects.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between mass, energy, and kinetic energy, with no consensus reached on how these concepts interrelate under relativistic conditions.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the definitions of energy in different contexts and the implications of relativistic effects on emitted radiation. Participants have not fully clarified the assumptions underlying their claims.

Crazy Tosser
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So, by the theory of relativity: m=\frac{m_{0}}{\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}}

But then, we have E=mc^2.

So if you have (relative to YOU) a very fast moving body, when it radiates, the radiation is actually of higher energy than it would be if the body was static?
 
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The E in E=mc^2 is only the rest energy of the particle. It does not include any Kinetic Energy.
 
bassplayer142 said:
The E in E=mc^2 is only the rest energy of the particle. It does not include any Kinetic Energy.

KE, as in mv^2/2? No, it doesn't. But my question was just that, do relativistic effects on the mass modify the energies of the emitted waves?
 
Crazy Tosser said:
KE, as in mv^2/2? No, it doesn't. But my question was just that, do relativistic effects on the mass modify the energies of the emitted waves?

No. There is a relativistic effect on emitted radiation which is known as the relativistic Doppler shift, but it doesn't have anything to do with the mass of the object doing the emitting (ignoring gravitation).
 
Crazy Tosser said:
So, by the theory of relativity: m=\frac{m_{0}}{\sqrt{1-\frac{v^2}{c^2}}}

But then, we have E=mc^2.

No, we don't. We have E=m_{0}c^2
 
WarPhalange said:
No, we don't. We have E=m_{0}c^2
E=m_{0}c^2 is the energy of a particle at rest.
E=mc^2 is the total energy of a particle.
So,
mc^2 = m_{0}c^2 + relativistic kinetic energy.
 
That's why you should go with the full equation...

E^2 = (mc^2)^2 + (pc)^2

Since m is the rest mass, you have to add the energy from the momentum, p, which (when regarding mass bearing objects) is...

p = ɣmv
ɣ = (1-v^2/c^2)^(-1/2)

So there you get a change in momentum with a change in velocity, changing the total energy of the object and giving you the energy of the same object at rest (E = mc^2) when not at rest (E^2 = (mc^2)^2 + (((1-v^2/c^2)^(-1/2) * m * v) * c)^2).
 

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