Is there a limiting speed for particles due to energy loss in acceleration?

[hartlw]

Electrical means are the only way to achieve high speeds of a particle. Is it possible that you reach a limiting speed when energy radiates out as fast as it is put in? How is radiated energy accounted for in the total mass?

There really is no non-electrical way to significantly accelerate a body other than ejecting a part of the mass, in which case the mass is not constant. I don't think a compressed spring or cannon will get you up near the speed of light. The speed a body reaches when it accelerates toward the Earth from infinity is escape velocity, about 17000 mph. By the time you get near the speed of light by expelling mass you don't have any mass left.

 

[Meir Achuz]

Electrical means are the only way to achieve high speeds of a particle. Is it possible that you reach a limiting speed when energy radiates out as fast as it is put in? ..

Particle acceleration in a synchroton is limited by the energy at which energy input equals energy radiated.
Particles also achieve high speeds in decay of heavier particles.