If any particle attains the speed of light then what happens to its mass?

Question

Answer

Effect of Attaining the Speed of Light on Mass of a Particle

When a particle attains the speed of light, several changes occur, including its mass, which is one significant factor. Here is a detailed explanation of what happens to the mass of a particle when it attains the speed of light:

Special Theory of Relativity

According to the Special Theory of Relativity, the mass of a particle increases with its velocity. The equation for calculating the mass of a particle is as follows:

Mass = Rest Mass / (1 - (v^2/c^2))^1/2

Where:

Rest Mass: the mass of the particle at rest

v: velocity of the particle

c: speed of light

Mass at the Speed of Light

When a particle attains the speed of light, its velocity (v) becomes equal to the speed of light (c). Therefore, the equation becomes:

Mass = Rest Mass / (1 - (c^2/c^2))^1/2

Solving this equation, we get:

Mass = Rest Mass / 0

As we can see, the denominator becomes zero, which makes the mass infinite. Therefore, the mass of a particle becomes infinite when it attains the speed of light.

Conclusion

When a particle attains the speed of light, its mass becomes infinite, which is impossible according to the laws of physics. Therefore, no particle can attain the speed of light, and the theory of relativity states that the speed of light is the maximum speed that any object can achieve.

Answer

As an object approaches the speed of light, its mass rises precipitously. If an object tries to travel 186,000 miles per second, its mass becomes infinite, and so does the energy required to move it.

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