Exploring Mass, Charge, and Relativity: Uncovering the Mysteries

In summary, mass and charge are qualities of any substance found in nature that can produce fields of forces and store energy. However, while mass is a condensed form of energy according to the equation E=MC^2, charge does not have a similar equation. This is because mass is invariant in relativity, whereas charge is variant. The laws of relativity are based on the constant speed of light in a given medium, but the concept of relativistic mass is used to make it easier to understand. However, the existence of mass is actually an invariant event in space-time.
  • #1
peeyush_ali
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Mass and charge are qualities of any substance found in nature. That's because they can produce fields of forces. Fields have the capability to do work so we say that energy is stored in fields.but why mass alone is a condensed form of energy as E=MC^2 suggests..why not E=qC^2 ? I mean charge and mass are similar (except for dissimilarities like charges repel and also attract and produce magnetic fields when accelerated) even charge is relativistic invariant but where as mass is relativistic variant..why is this so??
" bending space produces mass " is that true? if yes then why not charge?? or is there something besides space which on bending causes charge?? why are the laws partial with mass but not charge..

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I have not started learning any of the relativity principles..I just know that all of them are derived based on this simple fact derived by Maxwell that for a given medium the velocity of light is constant = 1/(u0 e0)^1/2...and that is irrespective of any relative motion of an observer
an observer traveling with any velocity will observe the speed of light to be constant for that medium..and from this we can derive any law of length or anything...but i don't understand how mass can be changed??
mass is a conserved quantity like charge..hm..can anyone suggest me about all this??
 
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  • #2
hello peeyush_ali,
i've just finished reading your post.
i think u should first know that in relativity,mass is also an invariant, it is because, by choosing different reference frame to describe the mass,we should get the same natural phenonmenon.
The reason why we need to "alter" the value of mass is to make the concept of relativity easier to be accepted.
Einstein had said in his paper that actually, the relativitistic mass has no meaning.
Because the existence of mass is also an invariant event in space-time.
the calculation of relativistic mass is to compare what the other reference frame measured using its ruler and clock so that other natural laws such as momentum conservation laws,energy conservation laws can be described in the same format.
 

FAQ: Exploring Mass, Charge, and Relativity: Uncovering the Mysteries

What is mass and how is it measured?

Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object. It is measured in units such as kilograms or grams. The most common way to measure mass is by using a balance scale and comparing the object to a known mass. Mass can also be calculated by dividing an object's weight by the acceleration due to gravity.

How does charge affect the behavior of particles?

Charge is a fundamental property of particles that determines how they interact with each other. Like charges repel each other, while opposite charges attract. Charged particles can also create an electric field that can influence the motion of other particles. In addition, charged particles can be affected by magnetic fields, which can cause them to move in curved paths.

What is the relationship between mass and energy?

According to Einstein's famous equation E=mc^2, mass and energy are equivalent and can be converted into each other. This means that mass can be converted into energy and vice versa. The amount of energy that can be produced from a given amount of mass is enormous, which is why even a small amount of mass can create a tremendous amount of energy.

How does relativity impact our understanding of mass and charge?

Relativity is a theory that explains how the laws of physics work in different reference frames, or perspectives. It has a profound impact on our understanding of mass and charge because it shows that these properties are not absolute, but rather depend on the observer's frame of reference. For example, the mass and charge of an object can appear different to different observers depending on their relative motion.

What are some real-world applications of exploring mass, charge, and relativity?

The exploration of mass, charge, and relativity has led to many practical applications in our daily lives. For example, our understanding of charge has led to the development of electronic devices such as computers, smartphones, and televisions. The principles of relativity are also used in technologies such as GPS navigation and particle accelerators. Additionally, the conversion of mass into energy has been harnessed in nuclear power plants to generate electricity.

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