A general and explicit expression for inertia of a body of mass m in special relativity is given, valid for all the cases, as a function of mass, velocity modulus and angle between applied force and velocity vectors. An expression containing the total energy E in the determination of inertia is also obtained. This could be useful to clarify to students the actual role of mass and energy in the definition of the concept of inertia, connecting the two different contexts of Newtonian and relativistic mechanics.
Inertia in relativistic mechanic / Germano, Massimo. - In: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. - ISSN 0143-0807. - 45:6(2024). [10.1088/1361-6404/ad79c8]
Inertia in relativistic mechanic
Massimo Germano
Primo
2024
Abstract
A general and explicit expression for inertia of a body of mass m in special relativity is given, valid for all the cases, as a function of mass, velocity modulus and angle between applied force and velocity vectors. An expression containing the total energy E in the determination of inertia is also obtained. This could be useful to clarify to students the actual role of mass and energy in the definition of the concept of inertia, connecting the two different contexts of Newtonian and relativistic mechanics.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
