MadSci Network: Physics |
From the equation[sqrt(e^2/c^4-p^2/c^2)/sqrt(1-v^2/c^2)=relative mass] one can see that any particle traveling at the velocity of light must have rest mass of zero, and be traveling at the velocity of light(in a vacuum). This means that at the velocity of light relative mass is 0/0, which though undefined, has four logical answers:0,1,2,inf. If one goes by x/x=1 then you have one, if you go by x/0=inf then you have infinity, if you go by 0/x=0 then you have zero, and if using L'Hospital's rule the answer is two. This seems to me to correspond somewhat to the four forces(weak bosons having infinite mass at c) I was asking because I wondered how the mathematically undefined answer was adressed by physicists and due to the fact that the four answers, one corresponding to the weak force, may have to do with bosons. It may also have to do with field theory as 0/0 is point slope but could have "length" as a string. I would appreciate an answer untailored to my age. Thanks!!
Re: What is the relative mass of a particle at the velocity of light?
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