If we accelerate a radioactive isotope of an element in a particle accelerator to a speed close to that of light, what would its

Question

2 years ago

6

observed mass be compared to its mass at rest

1 answer:

Radda [10] · Answer 1 · 2023-06-02T18:29:05+03:00

When the speed of the particle is close to that of light, it's observed mass would be infinitely large.

To answer the question, we need to know what observed mass is.

<h3>What is observed mass in relativity?</h3>

This is the mass the body of an object in relativistic motion appears to have.

So, observed mass, m' = m/√(1 - β²) where

Now, since the speed of the particle is close to that of light, β ≅ 1.

So, m' = m/√(1 - β²)

m' = m/√(1 - 1²)

m' = m/√(1 - 1)

m' = m/√0

m' = m/0

m' = ∞

So, when the speed of the particle is close to that of light, it's observed mass would be infinitely large.

Learn more about observed mass here: