Mass-energy equivalence and the gravitational redshift: Does energy always have mass?

  • Germano D’Abramo Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca, 00041 Albano Laziale, Italy
Ariticle ID: 648
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Keywords: special relativity; general relativity; mass-energy equivalence; gravitational frequency shift; conservation of energy; conservation of linear momentum; thought experiments

Abstract

One of the most widespread interpretations of mass-energy equivalence establishes that not only can mass be transformed into energy (e.g., through nuclear fission, fusion, or annihilation), but that every type of energy also has mass (via the mass-energy equivalence formula). Here, we show that this is not always the case. With the help of a few thought experiments, we show that, for instance, the electric potential energy of a charged capacitor should not contribute to the capacitor’s gravitational rest mass (while still contributing to its linear momentum). That result is in agreement with the fact that light (ultimately, an electromagnetic phenomenon) has momentum but not rest mass.

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Published
2024-07-27
Section
Original Research Articles