How is mass density affected by speeds near c?

  • Level: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter elliottmarter
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Density Mass
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
5 replies · 2K views
elliottmarter
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
basically what is the relationship between mass density at "zero" speed and mass density at speeds nearing the speed of light (0.98c,0.99c etc)

in the form M = [tex]\gamma[/tex] Mo if possible

Thanks a lot guys!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
sorry just saw that this should have gone in the H/W section :rolleyes:
 
elliottmarter said:
M = [tex]\gamma[/tex] Mo
Isn't that the answer to your own question?
 
well, i mean i took a guess that it takes that form, but is gamma squared or cubed?...anything that could change the proportionality...you know :)

cheers
 
elliottmarter said:
well, i mean i took a guess that it takes that form, but is gamma squared or cubed?...anything that could change the proportionality...you know :)
If by "mass density" you mean "relativistic mass / volume" then yes, gamma is squared:

gamma = 2 means that a moving object has half the volume, but also double relativistic mass, so 4 time more "mass density".
 
ah i see!

thanks a lot, i think i will be frequenting these forums often in the future