Relativistic Mass and Electrons vs. Muons

[maverick_starstrider]

Hi,

I can't say I've really ever done much relativity but this made me wonder. Imagine we have some frame where a muon and an electron are interacting where the electron's energy is so high that its relativistic mass can be said to be HIGHER than that of the muon in the same frame. I realize the exact behavior of such a system is governed by some complicated S-matrix. However, my question is this. On the face of it, would this system obey fermionic or bosonic statistics? Are they indistinguishable particles? Doesn't the behaviour of a system like this force an answer as to whether relativistic mass is a real thing or a book-keeping device for your relativistic corrections. Or do I just know nothing about relativity (very possible).

 

[bcrowell]

When we talk about identical particles, we mean identical in terms of properties that can't be altered and that are the same regardless of what frame of reference you use. The relevant property here would be the rest mass, not the relativistic mass (which also is not a concept that physicists really use anymore).