- #1
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Hi All
I am reading the following interesting book:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0393337685/?tag=pfamazon01-20
In it he makes the claim Einsteins proof of E=MC^2 had errors. They were fixed (not by Einstein - but by Von-Lau in 1911 using Minkowski's tensor formalism) - but, he claims, even now correct proofs are not usually given.
I am scratching my head about that one.
The proof I know comes from Landau and is almost trivial - you write down the only reasonable relativistic Lagrangian for a free particle ∫m*dt where t is the proper time. You then apply Noether - its simple.
So what gives - is there something wrong with the above or is that dead simple proof not often given? If not - its a shame - its so easy and beautiful - and you would have to ask - why?
Thanksa
Bill
I am reading the following interesting book:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0393337685/?tag=pfamazon01-20
In it he makes the claim Einsteins proof of E=MC^2 had errors. They were fixed (not by Einstein - but by Von-Lau in 1911 using Minkowski's tensor formalism) - but, he claims, even now correct proofs are not usually given.
I am scratching my head about that one.
The proof I know comes from Landau and is almost trivial - you write down the only reasonable relativistic Lagrangian for a free particle ∫m*dt where t is the proper time. You then apply Noether - its simple.
So what gives - is there something wrong with the above or is that dead simple proof not often given? If not - its a shame - its so easy and beautiful - and you would have to ask - why?
Thanksa
Bill