What happens to the speed of an object as the relativistic momentum approaches infinity?

The broadest form of Newton’s second law is stated in terms of momentum. Momentum is conserved whenever the net external force on a system is zero. Relativistic momentum approaches infinity as the velocity of an object approaches the speed of light.

Can you have infinite momentum?

Force is the rate of change of momentum, so if you apply a constant force the momentum will increase linearly with time. However for any finite force applied for a finite time the momentum can never reach infinity so the velocity can never reach c.

Is relativistic momentum always conserved?

At low velocities, relativistic momentum is equivalent to classical momentum. Relativistic momentum approaches infinity as u approaches c. This implies that an object with mass cannot reach the speed of light. Relativistic momentum is conserved, just as classical momentum is conserved.

What happens if your mass becomes infinite?

Special relativity is an explanation of how speed affects mass, time and space. As an object approaches the speed of light, the object’s mass becomes infinite and so does the energy required to move it. That means it is impossible for any matter to go faster than light travels.

What is the relativistic relation between kinetic energy and momentum?

The classical kinetic energy of an object is related to its momentum by the equation: Ek=p22m E k = p 2 2 m , where p is momentum.

What does infinite momentum mean?

This means that an object with a mass can never reach the speed of light, as it would have an infinite momentum. In order to define momentum in a way that resembles the classic definition, one can think of the mass of the object as depending on the speed of the object.

Do photons have infinite momentum?

However, momentum is the product of mass and velocity, so, by this definition, massless photons cannot have momentum.

What is the proton’s momentum?

The momentum of the proton is 1.12 × 10-17 kg•m/s. The proton’s momentum exceeds its Newtonian momentum by a factor of 22.4.

Does the equation of relativistic momentum correspond to the classical equation of momentum?

Within the domain of classical mechanics, relativistic momentum closely approximates Newtonian momentum. At low velocity γm0v γ m 0 v is approximately equal to m0v m 0 v , the Newtonian expression for momentum.

Why does mass become infinite?

As an object increases in speed, so does the amount of energy that it has, this energy is what we refer to as ‘the increase in mass’ (just remember, this is inertial mass). Since an object has infinite kinetic energy when it approaches the speed of light, it therefore has infinite mass as well.

What does it mean when mass is infinite?

It means that its inertia (resistance to change in the state of motion) approaches infinity. You probably already know from F=ma that for the same change in speed (acceleration), a larger mass requires a larger force.