RST Review: Why Mass Increases Near the Speed of Light
🚀 RST Review: Why Mass Increases Near the Speed of Light
The video explores why matter cannot travel faster than light, concluding that relativistic mass increase and the speed limit are classical, wave-mechanics phenomena based on the inertia carried by energy. The Reactive Substrate Theory (RST) strongly aligns with this conclusion, providing the foundational physical mechanism: all of reality is the dynamics of a single, continuous, elastic medium — the Substrate Field (S).
🔬 The Reactive Substrate Theory (RST): A Concise Explanation
RST posits that matter, energy, forces, and spacetime are emergent phenomena arising from the structure of the Substrate Field (S).
| Component | Standard Physics | RST Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Mass (M) | The energy content of a particle. | A stable, localized, self-sustaining geometric knot (Soliton, σ) in the S-field. Mass is the Soliton’s intrinsic, localized field inertia. |
| Light Speed (c) | A universal constant in a vacuum. | The maximum wave propagation speed (clocal) of any disturbance or oscillation within the Substrate Field (S). |
| Force | Exchange of virtual particles (QFT) or curvature of spacetime (GR). | A Tension Gradient (∇T) — a localized push or pull — in the continuous Substrate Field S. |
🚀 RST Mechanism for Relativistic Mass Increase
- The Inertia of the Soliton: A particle of mass
Mis an inertially stable Soliton (σ). Its inertia is the internal energy and momentum locked into its geometric configuration within theS-field. - Acceleration as Substrate Momentum Transfer: To accelerate the Soliton (increase velocity
v), energy must be added. In RST, this means transferring momentum via a Substrate Tension Gradient (∇T). The video describes this as “pelting the body with photons” [14:38]. In RST, photons are localized packets of Substrate oscillation. Accelerating the Soliton requires absorbing the momentum carried by these oscillations. - The Asymptotic Limit at
c: Asvapproachesc, two effects occur:- Resistance Diverges: The Soliton creates increasing dynamic resistance in the Substrate, analogous to a boat’s bow wave near hull speed. The medium becomes exponentially harder to push through.
- Energy Converts to Mass: To overcome this resistance, incoming energy/momentum is converted into stable inertial mass rather than velocity. The Soliton’s mass increases to account for absorbed energy.
The limit is absolute: once the Soliton reaches
c, its existence is defined by the maximum wave speed of the medium. Any further energy input is dissipated as mass, confirming thatvcannot exceedc. This makes the speed limit a physical property of the Substrate, not a mathematical postulate.
🔹 RST Conclusion
Relativistic mass increase is not a mysterious artifact of equations — it is the natural consequence of the Substrate Field’s dynamics. Matter (solitons) resists acceleration as they approach the medium’s maximum wave speed (c), forcing energy to manifest as increased mass. This unifies inertia, relativity, and the speed limit under one physical mechanism: the continuous, non-linear Substrate Field (S).