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

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between mass and temperature, particularly in the context of mass-energy equivalence. Participants clarify that while kinetic energy can influence the apparent mass of a system, the rest mass of individual atoms remains constant and is not temperature dependent. The atomic mass units listed on the periodic table are defined independently of temperature, and any changes in mass due to kinetic energy are negligible when considering macroscopic quantities. The conversation highlights the distinction between rest mass and energy, emphasizing that temperature affects kinetic energy but does not alter the fundamental mass of particles.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of mass-energy equivalence principles
  • Familiarity with kinetic energy and its effects on systems
  • Knowledge of atomic mass units and their definitions
  • Basic grasp of thermodynamics, particularly temperature effects
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the implications of kinetic energy on the apparent mass of systems
  • Study the relationship between temperature and kinetic energy in solid-state physics
  • Investigate the definitions and applications of atomic mass units in various contexts
  • Learn about the mathematical formulations of mass-energy relationships in particle physics
USEFUL FOR

High school chemistry and physics teachers, students studying thermodynamics and particle physics, and anyone interested in the nuances of mass-energy equivalence and its implications in physical systems.

  • #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.
 
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  • #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.
 
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