- #1
tim_lou
- 682
- 1
hi, this is my first post here. I've always loved physics... here's just some thoughts about a problem:
let's say i have a particle at rest relative to me (inertial frame) and has a rest mass of [itex]m_0[/itex].
now let's say in another frame of reference moving in the positive x direction with velocity v relative to me. what would be the apparent mass of that particle? simply [itex]\gamma{m_0}[/itex]?
if so then,
lets say i take a closer look at that particle, and it is actually consisted of 2 particles. these 2 particles are moving relative to each other and they are interacting with each other via some forces. now, if i sum up the apparent masses of the two particles and the mass equilvalent of the potential energy between the two, would i get [itex]m_0[/itex]? what is the determinig factor of whatever not one is calculating the "rest mass" of a system? what determines if a system is at "rest" relative to me? the center of mass (does this idea still apply in relativity)? or is the concept of "rest" mass irrelevant? if it is irrelevant, why (as a whole the system is still a "particle")?
regardless of what the above answers are. Let's say i get an answer of m ("rest mass" of the system). Then when the mass of the system is measured in the moving frame i said above, would the answer be [itex]\gamma{m}[/itex]?
if all these work, is it possible to calculate the electrical potential of moving charges and gravitational potential of moving masses using this idea?
*btw, sry for my bad english, if anything needs to be clarified, please tell me. any help is appreciated on this problem.
let's say i have a particle at rest relative to me (inertial frame) and has a rest mass of [itex]m_0[/itex].
now let's say in another frame of reference moving in the positive x direction with velocity v relative to me. what would be the apparent mass of that particle? simply [itex]\gamma{m_0}[/itex]?
if so then,
lets say i take a closer look at that particle, and it is actually consisted of 2 particles. these 2 particles are moving relative to each other and they are interacting with each other via some forces. now, if i sum up the apparent masses of the two particles and the mass equilvalent of the potential energy between the two, would i get [itex]m_0[/itex]? what is the determinig factor of whatever not one is calculating the "rest mass" of a system? what determines if a system is at "rest" relative to me? the center of mass (does this idea still apply in relativity)? or is the concept of "rest" mass irrelevant? if it is irrelevant, why (as a whole the system is still a "particle")?
regardless of what the above answers are. Let's say i get an answer of m ("rest mass" of the system). Then when the mass of the system is measured in the moving frame i said above, would the answer be [itex]\gamma{m}[/itex]?
if all these work, is it possible to calculate the electrical potential of moving charges and gravitational potential of moving masses using this idea?
*btw, sry for my bad english, if anything needs to be clarified, please tell me. any help is appreciated on this problem.
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