As a particle is accelerated to relativistic speeds, laboratory measurements of its momentum show
A)an increase,
B)a decrease,
C)no change,
And measurements of its volume show
D)an increase.
E)a decrease.
F)no change.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

As a particle is accelerated to relativistic speeds, its momentum increases due to the relativistic mass increase (momentum is the product of mass and velocity, and at relativistic speeds, the effective mass increases as observed from the laboratory frame). The volume of a particle is not a directly applicable concept in this context, but if we consider the relativistic effects on objects, they appear contracted in the direction of motion (length contraction) from the viewpoint of a stationary observer, which could be interpreted as a decrease in volume for an object moving at relativistic speeds.

As a Particle Is Accelerated to Relativistic Speeds, Laboratory Measurements