Re: Quantum Gravity 282.6: A Mathematical-Physical Disproof of Infinite-Mass "Consequence" of Approaching Light Speed

OsherD wrote:
From Osher Doctorow

According to Special Relativity, mass become infinite when light speed
is approached because of the factor:

1) 1/sqrt(1 - v^2/c^2)

In Probable Causation/Influence (PI), however, the Probability that A
Causes/Influence B is:

2) P(A-->B) = 1 + P(AB) - P(A)

or its alternate version:

3) P ' (A-->B) = 1 + P(B) - P(A), with P(B) < = P(A

Here P(A), P(B), and P(AB) are all nonnegative from the definition of
probability.

But in the expression 1 - v^2/c^2 in (1), v^2/c^2 is also nonnegative,
so there is a missing term in the "probability representation," namely
either P(B) or P(AB). Let's use P(B). Notice, by the way, that v^2/
c^2 is between 0 and 1 by Einstein's postulate (whether it is true or
not), so it can indeed be taken mathematically as a probability under
rather general conditions.

Rewriting (1) with P(B) included gives:

4) 1/sqrt(1 + P(B) - v^2/c^2)

with P(B) not in general 0. Notice what happens as v^2 --> c^2. The
last term in the argument, v^2/c^2 --> 1 (from the left) so 1 - 1 = 0,
but P(B) is left in the argument, yielding:

5) 1/sqrt(P(B)) as v^2 --> c^2 (from the left)

Here P(B) is in general > 0 so 1/sqrt(P(B)) is finite (if P(B) is
constant, the former is a finite real number). So mass does not
approach infinity, just as 1/sqrt(P(B)) does not in general approach
infinity.

Yes,
mass does not approach infinity unless the velocity approaches
infinity.
Just like basic math would tell you.
The problem with 1/sqrt(1 - v^2/c^2) is that it is a self limiting
math trick to make sure nothing will pass lightspeed.
Play with it and stick in other speeds for (c) and see what occurs.
It works good for placing such limits on "light itself", just as it
would work good for limiting "sound itself".
It is a great "wave limit" formula. but .. objects
don't move in waves.
They pretty much cut through waves when they pass the
wave speed.
:)
But for "real" objects that do not care about light, it is simply
a mathematical trick to stop the real from wrecking the relativity
church.
:)

--
James M Driscoll Jr
Spaceman


.

Relevant Pages