Relativistic mass affect weight of an object?

In summary, the conversation discusses the potential effects of gravity and speed on the weight of an object, specifically in relation to a top spinning near the speed of light. The concept of relativistic mass is also questioned, along with the influence of electric/magnetic charge on spinning objects.
  • #1
aexyl93
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For example, a top spinning near the speed of light, would the relativistic mass be affected by gravity and therefore increase the weight of the object?

If it does, then are the highest speeds which we could realistically get it to spin at it not even close to the speed of light, making any mass/weight gain negligible?

Also, if you were to have say something like a ring that has a ring inside it which spins, powered by a motor, and inside that ring another one just like it spins adding its containing ring's speed to it, and do that with enough rings, how close do you think you could get to the speed of light?

And an extension of the above question I have is would anything happen if the rings had a electric/magnetic charge while they were spinning?

Sorry if this is in the wrong section.
 
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  • #2
aexyl93 said:
For example, a top spinning near the speed of light, would the relativistic mass be affected by gravity and therefore increase the weight of the object?
What gravity? You have posited a scenario in which an object is moving a near c (relative, necessarily, to some other object which is measuring that speed) but you have not posited any acceleration OR gravity. In any event, relativistic mass is a totally deprecated concept and is, I think, just confusing you.
 

1. What is the difference between relativistic mass and rest mass?

Relativistic mass is the mass of an object as it moves at high speeds, taking into account the effects of relativity. Rest mass, on the other hand, is the mass of an object when it is at rest. Relativistic mass is always greater than or equal to the rest mass of an object.

2. Does the relativistic mass affect the weight of an object?

Yes, the relativistic mass of an object does affect its weight. As an object's speed increases, its relativistic mass also increases, and therefore its weight increases as well. This is due to the relationship between mass and energy outlined in Einstein's famous equation, E=mc^2.

3. How does the relativistic mass affect the concept of inertia?

Relativistic mass also affects the concept of inertia, which is an object's resistance to changes in its motion. As an object's relativistic mass increases, its inertia also increases, making it more difficult to accelerate the object. This is why it becomes increasingly difficult to accelerate an object as it approaches the speed of light.

4. Can the relativistic mass of an object ever be equal to its rest mass?

No, the relativistic mass of an object can never be equal to its rest mass. As an object's speed approaches the speed of light, its relativistic mass theoretically approaches infinity. This means that the object would require an infinite amount of energy to reach the speed of light, making it impossible for its relativistic mass to be equal to its rest mass.

5. What implications does the relativistic mass have on the laws of physics?

The concept of relativistic mass has significant implications on the laws of physics, particularly in the realm of high-speed objects. It explains why objects become increasingly difficult to accelerate as they approach the speed of light, and also plays a role in theories such as time dilation and length contraction. It also underscores the relationship between mass and energy, which is a fundamental concept in modern physics.

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