Relation between potential energy and Relativity

[Tiny_Explorer]

What is the potential energy according to Relativity ? How this explains energy better than Newtonian mechanics?

 

[Ibix]

Gravitational potential energy is not defined in general in relativity. It works in certain special cases. What case are you considering?

 

[Dale]

How this explains energy better than Newtonian mechanics?

It is pretty much the same except that in special relativity energy and mass are closely related: $m^2 c^2 = E^2/c^2-p^2$

That close relationship between mass, energy, and momentum is not predicted by Newtonian mechanics. But it is supported by a lot of experimental evidence.

 

[Herman Trivilino]

What is the potential energy according to Relativity ? How this explains energy better than Newtonian mechanics?

A collection of particles forming a composite body can interact with each other, and there can be a potential energy associated with that interaction.

In special relativity there exists the concept of rest energy, which is equivalent to mass. The potential energy of a collection of particles contributes to the mass of the composite body. This is something that's not part of newtonian physics but is a very important part of relativity.