Two exact derivations of the mass/energy relationship, E=mc²

2000/09/18 by Eric Baird, Baird, Eric
Computer Science · Physics and Astronomy · #Computational Physics and Python Applications #Experimental and Theoretical Physics Studies #FOS: Physical sciences #General Physics (physics.gen-ph) #Relativity and Gravitational Theory #physics.gen-ph

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.physics/0009062

5 pages, no figures

arxiv created 2000/09/18 · openalex publication_date 2000/09/18 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

The E=mc² relationship is not unique to special relativity. Einstein published one exact derivation from special relativity and two approximate derivations that used general extensions to Newtonian mechanics, and an exact derivation is also possible if we use a "first-order" Doppler equation instead of special relativity's "relativistic Doppler" formula. We present two sample derivations based on different non-transverse Doppler relationships, and briefly look at the two diverging systems of physics that result.

Citations

• On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies

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