Relativistic Momentum

Relativistic momentum is the momentum of an object moving at speeds close to the speed of light. Unlike classical momentum, which is mass times velocity (p = mv), relativistic momentum accounts for the effects of Einstein's theory of Special Relativity. As an object's speed approaches light speed, its momentum increases more than expected due to time dilation and length contraction. This is expressed as p = γmv, where γ (gamma) is a factor that increases as velocity approaches light speed, ensuring that no object can exceed this universal speed limit. Thus, momentum behaves differently at relativistic speeds.