In article jzElb.107392$gv5.13961@fed1read05, \(formerly\)
dlzc1.cox@net writes:
Dear John:

"John" wrote in message
...
If the mass of a starship increases as it approaches the speed of light,
would the energy liberated in an antimatter explosion also increase? In
which case if a ship weighed ten times as much at a high fraction of C,
wouldn't the energy liberated increase by the same ammount, and keep
acceleration constant? Time dialation would reduce the power output (to
an
outside observer) as each kg of antimatter is annaliated over a longer
and
longer period of 'outside' time.

The center of mass of the matter-antimatter anhiliation would most likely
be not seen to be stationary to either the ship frame, or a stationary
observer. The amount of invariant mass destroyed would be the same for all
frames. The relativistic mass of the rest of the ship would depend on how
much of the "splash back" was absorbed by it. I'm assuming the antimatter
is part of the propellant, and not debris in the path?

Saying the "acceleration is constant" is a problem, in that you have not
said for *whom* the acceleration is constant. Presumably it will a source
of artificial gravity. Yes, acceleration to a stationary observer will
seem to decrease, if it is constant for the ship frame.

The books don't say this though. They maintain it's impossible to reach C
specifically because of mass increase. Have I made a mistake, or is this
assertion just an over-simplifacation they sell to the public?

Simplified, but essentially correct. Incremental applications of thrust
are seen to result in a decreasing amount of velocity. Even more than
1/2*mv^2 would provide.

The real problem is that before you reach 0.1c, hydrogen
molecules/atoms/nucleii striking the nose of your ship will create some
*serious* radiation. This will make your ship radioactive.

David A. Smith


Not to worry; observers will never reach such speeds, and a bullet passing
close by an observer at such speeds would have a greater affect in other
respects.

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