Elementary derivation of the expressions of momentum and energy in special relativity
read the original abstract
The expressions of momentum and energy of a particle in special relativity are often derived in a quite unconvincing manner in elementary text, by resorting either to electrodynamic or quantum considerations, or via the introduction of the less-than-elementary concept of a four-vector. It is instead possible, by exploiting considerations introduced by P. Epstein and A. Einstein and exploited later by Feynman, to obtain a fully elementary derivation of these expressions and of the $E=mc^2$ formula exploiting only Lorentz transformations and the postulate of the conservation of quantities defined for point-like particles which reduce to the Newtonian expressions of momentum and energy in the classical limit.
This paper has not been read by Pith yet.
discussion (0)
Sign in with ORCID, Apple, or X to comment. Anyone can read and Pith papers without signing in.