Origin of 4-momentum - Hisorical Ref.

[pmb_phy]

I've been dealing with the 4-momentum for too many years without knowing its origin. I'm seeking the physics literature reference to the actual article/text which this item first appeared in relativity. This I hope will give me the person's name, the year and the motivation and actual historical definition. Thank you.

Pete

 

[Kalimaa23]

Wasn't it in Einsteins "Zür Elektrodynamic der Bewegter Körper" ?

 

[robphy]

I believe it is Minkowski's "Space and Time" (p. 87 in the "The Principle of Relativity" collection)

I shall now describe the world-line of a substantial point with constant mechanical mass m, passing though P. Let the velocity vector at P, multiplied by m, be called the "momentum vector" at P, and the acceleration vector at P, multiplied by m, be called the "force vector" of the motion at P. With these definitions, the law of motion of a point of mass with given motive force vector runs thus: The Force Vector of Motion is Equal to the Motive Force Vector. This assertion comprises four equations for the components corresponding to the four axes, and since both vectors mentioned are a priori normal to the velocity vector, the fourth equation may be looked upon as a consequence of the other three.

 

[pmb_phy]

Wasn't it in Einsteins "Zür Elektrodynamic der Bewegter Körper" ?

And in english that means...

robphy - YES! That's it! Thank you very very much. I've been trying to determine that for a very long time. Thanks.

Pete

 

[Kalimaa23]

One the electrodynamics of moving bodies, the original 1905 SR paper...

I re-read it, and I was mistaken, he does not mention four-vectors there.