Electrons can be accelerated to 99% of the speed of light, however the relativistic mass of these electrons is much greater than their rest mass.
So when the electrons decelerate to zero velocity (and their relativistic mass decreases back to their rest mass), this constitutes a form of "mass defect" and some form of energy must be released in accordance with e = mc squared. For example, the mass defect in nuclear processes and electron/positron annihilation creates gamma radiation.
However, what type of energy is released when relativistic mass decreases to rest mass?
So when the electrons decelerate to zero velocity (and their relativistic mass decreases back to their rest mass), this constitutes a form of "mass defect" and some form of energy must be released in accordance with e = mc squared. For example, the mass defect in nuclear processes and electron/positron annihilation creates gamma radiation.
However, what type of energy is released when relativistic mass decreases to rest mass?
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