Session J4: General Physics: Essentials and Pedagogy

11:00 AM–12:24 PM, Saturday, October 20, 2007
Physical Sciences (Bldg. 19) - Room 321

Chair: Jean-Francois Van Huele, Brigham Young University

Abstract ID: BAPS.2007.4CF.J4.1

Abstract: J4.00001 : Einstein's \emph{last} derivation of $E = mc^2$

11:00 AM–11:36 AM

Preview Abstract

Author:

  Ralph Baierlein
    (Northern Arizona University)

Einstein's last derivation of $E = mc^2$ is wonderfully simple and compelling. Before sketching a variation on that derivation, I will present some history about the word ``mass" and settle on what the word means in our context. After the derivation, I will address the question, what did Einstein mean in 1907 when he introduced the phrase, ``the equivalence of mass and energy"?

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2007.4CF.J4.1