Live Telemetry & Summary
Observe the divergence of the energy curves. At low speeds ($v < 0.3c$), Newton's prediction matches relativity almost perfectly. However, as speed approaches the speed of light $c$, the relativistic curve shoots up vertically toward infinity, showing why no amount of energy can accelerate a mass to $c$.
Variable Adjuster
Mass-Energy Equivalence
MEEQMass-Energy Equivalence states that mass and energy are interchangeable. The total energy of a moving object consists of its rest mass energy and its relativistic kinetic energy. As an object's velocity approaches c, its relativistic kinetic energy and total energy approach infinity, making it impossible for massive objects to reach the speed of light.
Whiteboard Solver Steps
Rest Energy (Eโ)
Every resting object contains an inherent amount of energy proportional to its mass.
Total Relativistic Energy (E)
As speed increases, the total energy of the object increases by the Lorentz factor ฮณ.
Relativistic Kinetic Energy (K_rel)
At low speeds, this matches classical KE, but approaches infinity as velocity v approaches c.
Classical Kinetic Energy (K_class)
The Newtonian kinetic energy prediction which becomes inaccurate at relativistic speeds.