Speed of light and relations to mass

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between the speed of light, mass, and energy. It establishes that as an object approaches the speed of light, its mass appears to increase from an external inertial frame of reference, necessitating infinite energy to reach light speed. However, within the object's own frame of reference, such as a rocket, its mass remains constant as fuel is consumed. This distinction is crucial for understanding relativistic physics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Einstein's Theory of Relativity
  • Familiarity with the concept of inertial frames of reference
  • Basic knowledge of mass-energy equivalence
  • Comprehension of relativistic effects on objects in motion
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity
  • Study the concept of inertial frames of reference in detail
  • Explore the implications of mass-energy equivalence (E=mc²)
  • Investigate relativistic effects on high-speed particles
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of physics, and anyone interested in the principles of relativity and the behavior of objects at high velocities.

chgol5270
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Being that anything accelerated to the speed of light gains infinite mass and will require infinite energy thus providing a barrier to achieving the speed of light but wouldn't the fuel source become infinite and in turn the potential for energy become infinite effectively canceling out this barrier.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Nope.
 
ghwellsjr said:
Nope.

Well said.
 
The increase in mass of the fuel is apparent only in another inertial frame. In the frame of the rocket it stays the same (decreasing as it is used up).
 
mathman said:
The increase in mass of the fuel is apparent only in another inertial frame. In the frame of the rocket it stays the same (decreasing as it is used up).

is what you're saying is that the increase in mass isn't from the perspective of said object ie. "rocket" but from the perspective of outside observations?
 
chgol5270 said:
is what you're saying is that the increase in mass isn't from the perspective of said object ie. "rocket" but from the perspective of outside observations?

Yes, that is exactly what he is saying, and not just any "outside observations" but those that are taken from an inertial frame of reference that is moving rapidly from the point of view of the rocket. Look up "frame of reference".
 

Similar threads

Undergrad A question about the speed of light and electromagnetism
  • · Replies 51 ·
2
Replies
51
Views
4K
High School c^2 in Einstein‘s theory of relativity
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
High School Speed of light and this Accelerating Rocket scenario
  • · Replies 45 ·
2
Replies
45
Views
5K
High School What if we use a non physical reference point to measure an object's mass?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
High School Why does it require an infinite amount of energy to reach the speed of light?
  • · Replies 130 ·
5
Replies
130
Views
15K
High School Thought Experiment : Try and get Alice to "0%" the Speed of light
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
High School The expansion of the Universe and time travel (By a non-scientist)
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
High School Why is the constant speed of light so unique?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
1K
High School Gravity and speed of information for orbiting planets
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
1K
Undergrad Energy contained in fuel in speed of light ship
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
3K