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If the mass of an object approaches infinity as the object approaches the speed of light why doesn't light have infinite mass?
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
The statement that photons have zero mass refers to what is traditionally known as the "rest mass" - nowadays simply called the "mass", i.e., the one mass that all observers will agree upon.
On the other hand, the "relativistic mass" is positive - and the ratio between this positive relativistic mass and the zero rest mass is infinite.
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
Wiki User
∙ 7y agoYou would need to know a bit of Einstein's relativity theory here; but in short light is a non material form of energy - it is comprised of photon particles which have no mass.
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How does mass turn into infinity at the speed of light?
It doesn't - the object will never achieve the speed of light, since an infinite mass is not possible (it would require infinite energy). This only describes a tendency: as the object gets closer and closer to the speed of light, so, too, will its mass increase more and more, approaching infinity - this means there is no upper limit to the mass as the object approaches the speed of light.
Does the law of conservation of matter apply outside your universe?
The law of conservation of matter doesn't hold well for a body moving at the speed of light ( c = 3.0*108 m/s). In theory, if there was a parallel universes the law of conservation of anti-matter should still apply. As an object approaches the speed of light, its mass approaches infinity. Because masses approach infinity with increasing speed, it is impossible to accelerate a material object to (or past) the speed of light. To do so would require an infinite force. Since masses change with speed, a change in kinetic energy must involve both a change in speed and a change in mass. At speeds close to the speed of light, most of this change is in mass.
What object produces a shimmering tail that last a few days when it approaches the sun?
a comet
What is the mass of a pebble going at the speed of light?
Given that:M = m/(1-v2/c2)1/2Where M is the relativistic mass, m is the rest mass, c is the speed of light in a vacuum and v is the velocity.If v/c = c/c = 1Then M = m/(1-1)1/2 = m/0As the velocity of the pebble approaches the speed of light, its mass will tend to infinity. This is very unphysical as it means that the pebble will also have infinite energy and momentum which breaks several very fundamental conservation laws. In reality it would take infinite energy to accelerate a pebble to the speed of light, since infinite energy is not an option it must be true that no object with mass can travel at the speed of light.
Does a black hole have infinite mass?
No, a black hole definitely does not have infinite mass. In some mathematical models, there is an object called a singularity, inside a black hole, which has infinite density. That is not the same as infinite mass. If a finite mass is contained in zero volume, then the density becomes infinite. We do not have any real confirmation that such a thing as a singularity or an infinite density actually exist, but they may.
How does mass turn into infinity at the speed of light?
It doesn't - the object will never achieve the speed of light, since an infinite mass is not possible (it would require infinite energy). This only describes a tendency: as the object gets closer and closer to the speed of light, so, too, will its mass increase more and more, approaching infinity - this means there is no upper limit to the mass as the object approaches the speed of light.
Where the value of g become infinite?
Because the force of gravity is equal to the universal gravitational constant times the mass of object one times the mass of object two divided by the distance between the objects squared (F=(G*m1*m2)/(d^2)), the force of gravity approaches infinity both as the distance between the objects approaches zero and as the total mass of the system approaches infinity. Also, if an object reached the speed of light its mass would be infinite and would therefore experience infinite gravity toward any object with which it would be relatively traveling at the speed of light. However, because gravity acts at the speed of light, the force would never reach of affect either object. Also, they'd cease to be part of eachother's respective universes. But gravity would be infinite.
Does light create its own mass?
Light does not have mass. Remember, as an object's speed approaches the speed of light, its mass approaches infinity, therefore it will require infinite energy to accelerate something to the speed of light, therefore only massless particles can travel at light speed.
Why can satellites not attain the speed of light notwithstanding they are in absolute vacuum?
As the speed of an object approaches the speed of light, its kinetic energy approaches infinity. An object moving at the speed of light would require inifinite kinetic energy.
What is an object with no thickness that extends to infinity in two opposite directions?
This is another definition of a line. It has only one dimension: infinite length.
What does not have energy?
Any object that is at "level zero" has zero potential energy. In the case of gravitational potential energy, this level is sometimes defined to be ground level, sometimes (in Astronomy) at an infinite distance (in this case, any object that is closer than infinity has a negative potential energy).Any object that is at "level zero" has zero potential energy. In the case of gravitational potential energy, this level is sometimes defined to be ground level, sometimes (in Astronomy) at an infinite distance (in this case, any object that is closer than infinity has a negative potential energy).Any object that is at "level zero" has zero potential energy. In the case of gravitational potential energy, this level is sometimes defined to be ground level, sometimes (in Astronomy) at an infinite distance (in this case, any object that is closer than infinity has a negative potential energy).Any object that is at "level zero" has zero potential energy. In the case of gravitational potential energy, this level is sometimes defined to be ground level, sometimes (in Astronomy) at an infinite distance (in this case, any object that is closer than infinity has a negative potential energy).
What does not have potential energy?
Any object that is at "level zero" has zero potential energy. In the case of gravitational potential energy, this level is sometimes defined to be ground level, sometimes (in Astronomy) at an infinite distance (in this case, any object that is closer than infinity has a negative potential energy).Any object that is at "level zero" has zero potential energy. In the case of gravitational potential energy, this level is sometimes defined to be ground level, sometimes (in Astronomy) at an infinite distance (in this case, any object that is closer than infinity has a negative potential energy).Any object that is at "level zero" has zero potential energy. In the case of gravitational potential energy, this level is sometimes defined to be ground level, sometimes (in Astronomy) at an infinite distance (in this case, any object that is closer than infinity has a negative potential energy).Any object that is at "level zero" has zero potential energy. In the case of gravitational potential energy, this level is sometimes defined to be ground level, sometimes (in Astronomy) at an infinite distance (in this case, any object that is closer than infinity has a negative potential energy).
As an object approaches the Earth's surface what will its acceleration be?
As an object approaches the Earth's surface, what will its acceleration be?
What does volume and surface area have in common?
The volume of a body and the surface area arerelated but not in a direct way. For a given volume, the smallest surface area of an object is seen then the object is a sphere. As the shape flattens from a sphere, so the surface area becomes larger. When the object approaches an infinitely small thickness, the surface area approaches and infinite size.
How do you draw an object at infinity for a concave mirror reflection is it necessary to draw an object at infinity?
Hi dear, it is enough to draw incident rays parallel to principal axis. That ensures that the object is at infinity and no need to draw an object at all.
Does the law of conservation of matter apply outside your universe?
The law of conservation of matter doesn't hold well for a body moving at the speed of light ( c = 3.0*108 m/s). In theory, if there was a parallel universes the law of conservation of anti-matter should still apply. As an object approaches the speed of light, its mass approaches infinity. Because masses approach infinity with increasing speed, it is impossible to accelerate a material object to (or past) the speed of light. To do so would require an infinite force. Since masses change with speed, a change in kinetic energy must involve both a change in speed and a change in mass. At speeds close to the speed of light, most of this change is in mass.
What is the weight of object at infinity?
no weight
