Is Mass Dependent on Temperature According to Mass-Energy Equivalence?

Click For Summary
The discussion centers on the relationship between mass, temperature, and kinetic energy, particularly in the context of mass-energy equivalence. It is argued that while temperature affects kinetic energy, it does not directly change the rest mass of atoms, which remain constant regardless of temperature. However, the kinetic energy associated with atomic motion at higher temperatures can lead to a very small increase in the total rest mass of a solid object, though this does not alter the number of atoms present. The consensus among participants is that mass is not temperature-dependent, but minor effects of kinetic energy on total mass can be acknowledged, especially in large systems. Ultimately, while temperature influences energy states, it does not fundamentally alter the rest mass of individual atoms.
  • #91
xox said:
The individual particles have different "gammas". I already pointed out this mistake.

The particles have different gammas because they have different velocities. I do not see the problem.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #92
xox said:
m_{0i}=m_p+\gamma_{ei}(v_e) m_e-u_i (for ONE atom)

From the above, it DOES NOT follow that, for a system of atoms:

M=\Sigma{\gamma'_i m_i}-U

I think part of this is simply definition of U, independent of any pairwise model, such that it can even apply to non-linear interactions. You have a system of particles 'at infinity'. As they come together and bind, radiation is released. The mass of the system is reduced by the radiation released/c^2 (else conservation violated). We call this released energy = mass deficit * c^2 = binding energy = U by convention. U is generically a function of the system as a whole, with a maximum value defining the ground state of the system.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

Undergrad If energy is relative, is the rest mass also relative?
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
4K
High School What is the distinction between the Weak and Strong Equivalence Principles?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Intuitive Interpretation of Rest Energy
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
High School Mass-Energy Equivalence: Does E=mc2 Apply in Systems at Rest?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Undergrad Time Dilation, Mass-Energy Equivalence: Implications for Time Passage
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
Undergrad Negative Mass and Hawking Radiation
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Distribution of Energy when work is done on a system of 2 masses connected by a spring
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
2K
Does kinetic energy increase the inertial mass?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Mass and thermodynamics in relativity
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
4K
Relativistic Time & Mass-Energy Phasors
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K