Definition:Relativistic Mass

Definition

Let $B$ be a body in motion in space.

The relativistic mass of $B$ is its mass induced by the speed it is moving with respect to the speed of light $c$.

For speeds which are small relative to $c$, the difference between the mass and the relativistic mass of $B$ is negligible.

Also see

• Einstein's Mass-Velocity Equation, which gives the value of this relativistic mass

• Definition:Rest Mass

• Results about relativistic mass can be found here.

Historical Note

Not only has the concept of relativistic mass been predicted by the special theory of relativity, it has been verified experimentally.

Sources

• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): relativistic mass
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): relativistic mass