Whenever we increase the velocity of a particle, the mass of he particle also

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the relationship between the velocity of a particle and its mass, particularly in the context of relativistic physics. Participants explore concepts related to mass increase with velocity, the implications for reaching the speed of light, and the behavior of massless particles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that increasing the velocity of a particle leads to an increase in its mass, suggesting that as velocity approaches the speed of light, the mass becomes very large, requiring more force for further acceleration.
  • Another participant mentions that massless particles always travel at the speed of light, implying that they do not experience an increase in mass.
  • A different participant clarifies that the real mass of a particle does not increase with velocity, but rather the total energy of the system increases, drawing an analogy to currency exchange rates to illustrate the distinction.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether mass increases with velocity and the implications for massless particles. There is no consensus on the nature of mass in relation to velocity, and the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved distinctions regarding the definitions of mass and energy, as well as the implications of relativistic effects on particles with mass versus massless particles.

aayushmittal
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
I read somewhere than whenever we increase the velocity of a particle, the mass of he particle also increases. I also read that it is impossible reach the speed of light as the mass of the particle, just before reaching the speed of light, will become infinite (not infinite but very large) and a lot of force will be needed to increase the speed further which will only result in more increase in mass. Now, i have the following 2 questions-

1. Why do mass go on increasing? and-
2. what if we consider mass less particles? Which there will an increase in mass too? If no, then why can't they achieve the speed of light?
 
Physics news on Phys.org


aayushmittal said:
2. what if we consider mass less particles? Which there will an increase in mass too? If no, then why can't they achieve the speed of light?

Hey, welcome to the forum. I would suggest that in future you think of a meaningful title for your posts, since that way you will attract more people who are interested in the subject you are asking about. "Please see below" is not helpful.

Massless particles ALWAYS travel at the universal speed limit (the same speed that light travels at).
 


aayushmittal said:
2. what if we consider mass less particles? Which there will an increase in mass too? If no, then why can't they achieve the speed of light?
Massless particles (particles with zero invariant mass) already move at the speed of light.
 
aayushmittal said:
1. Why do mass go on increasing?

The answer to your first question should answer an important distinction: the real mass of the particle is not increasing.

There is a danger of equivocation over 'equivalence' and 'sameness' in Einstein's famous equation. What is increasing is the total energy of the system. By analogy, we can say that dollar and a yen can be related in an equation (using the exchange-rate as a constant). But a dollar is not a yen.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 64 ·
3
Replies
64
Views
6K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 39 ·
2
Replies
39
Views
6K