An alternative proposal for interpreting two recurring misinterpretations in the relativistic mass-energy relationship
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[1] Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul
Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul
Brasil
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- Localización: Revista de enseñanza de la física, ISSN-e 2250-6101, ISSN 0326-7091, Vol. 36, Nº. 2, 2024, págs. 161-166
- Idioma: inglés
- Enlaces
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Resumen
This essay explores two recurring mistakes commonly encountered in the teaching of the mass-energy relationship within the frame-work of the Special Theory of Relativity. Firstly, there are interpretations positing the possibility of converting mass into energy (and vice versa), and secondly, interpretations suggesting an equivalence or sameness between mass and energy. These conceptual misun-derstandings are systematically dismantled through a meticulous historical-philosophical and conceptual analysis. Consequently, the aim is to empower educators and university professors with the means to preempt the perpetuation of these misguided notions. We advocate for an interpretive approach grounded in scholarly literature, drawing upon the seminal contributions of Warren, Martins, and Miller. Their scholarly endeavors furnish invaluable insights into the intricate fabric of the mass-energy relationship within the confines of the Special Theory of Relativity, underscored by the imperative of a nuanced and contextual comprehension of this foun-dational concept.
