[John Burnap]

John Burnap  asked the Naked Scientists:
   Hi Ben!

This is John Burnap, the guy with the question about hot matter experiencing relativistic effects.

My question was: Does extremely hot matter experience any relativistic effects due to the high velocity of the individual atoms.

My idea of an answer: (assuming the matter is contained in some way) the atoms will begin to collide and fuse, making heavier elements that aren't going as fast.

So what about a black hole? What does theory predict for the average velocity (or peak velocity) of a single atom in a star or a black hole? Is it close to the speed of light?

Please get back to me if you can... I would really like to know.

Thank you!

John
What do you think?