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Autor/inn/en | Duarte, Sergio; Lima, Nathan |
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Titel | A Simple Thought Experiment to Discuss the Mass-Energy Equivalence in the Special Theory of Relativity |
Quelle | In: Physics Education, 56 (2021) 3, Artikel 035028 (7 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift
PDF als Volltext |
Zusatzinformation | ORCID (Duarte, Sergio) ORCID (Lima, Nathan) |
Sprache | englisch |
Dokumenttyp | gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz |
ISSN | 0031-9120 |
Schlagwörter | Science Instruction; Science Experiments; Physics; Scientific Concepts; Concept Formation; Energy; Science Laboratories; Laboratory Experiments; Equations (Mathematics); Algebra; Undergraduate Study; College Science; High Schools; Secondary School Science |
Abstract | Einstein's relation between mass and energy is perhaps the most famous equation of Physics. Despite its simplicity, the meaning of E[subscript 0] = mc[superscript 2] is not easy to grasp. Furthermore, its traditional derivations rely either on the integral of "momentum," on properties of electromagnetic radiation, or even on the expression for transformation of energy. In the present work, we provide a simple thought experiment with an inelastic collision between two particles observed from two inertial reference frames. We show that for the conservation of relativistic "momentum" to hold, the mass of the system must increase after the collision. We also show that the increase of mass relates to the loss of kinetic energy according to the equation [delta]K = -[delta]mc[superscript 2], which enables us to define the equation for relativistic energy (E = mc[superscript 2]/ [equation omitted]), rest energy (E[subscript 0] = mc[superscript 2]) and relativistic kinetic energy (K = E - E[subscript 0]). There are two main advantages in this presentation: first, it relies only on simple algebra, not depending on differential calculus and on any property of radiation; second, it leads directly to a comprehensible physical meaning of the relation of equivalence, which can sometimes be too obscure in more formal derivations. (As Provided). |
Anmerkungen | IOP Publishing. 190 North Independence Mall West Suite 601, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 215-627-0880; Fax: 215-627-0879; e-mail: ped@ioppublishing.org; Web site: https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/0031-9120 |
Erfasst von | ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC |
Update | 2024/1/01 |