Rohrlich's derivation of E=mc2 wrong?

In summary, according to Wikipedia, there is an alternative version of the mass-energy equivalence formula that suggests using the formula 1/(1+v) instead of 1-v when dealing with relativistic conditions. This raises questions about the validity of Rohrlich's derivation, as the first equation used by Rohrlich is for a detector approaching a stationary wave source, which violates the principles of relativity. However, it is noted that at low velocities, both equations show similar results, but there are significant deviations at higher velocities.
  • #1
Lamarr
52
1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass–energy_equivalence#Alternative_versionAccording to Wikipedia,

"The velocity is small, so the right-moving light is blueshifted by ... Doppler shift factor [tex]1-\frac{v}{c}[/tex]

But [tex]1-\frac{v}{c}[/tex] should not be applied under relativistic conditions.
The formula [tex]\frac{1}{1+\frac{v}{c}}[/tex] should be used instead.So wouldn't this invalidate Rohrlich's derivation?
 
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  • #2
The formula used by Rohrlich does not even fit into the relativistic doppler effect equation.
 
  • #3
That's why they say, "The velocity is small,..." Taking units where c=1, the expressions 1-v, 1/(1+v), and [itex]\sqrt{(1-v)/(1+v)}[/itex] are all the same to first order in v.
 
  • #4
but the relativistic doppler formula is derived by dividing the second equation by the lorentz factor.

So if time dilation is minimal, why use the first equation? He should've used the second one.

The first equation is for a detector approaching a stationary wave source, passing the wavefronts faster than their speed in a medium.

The second is for a wave source approaching a detector, and the position that each wavefront was generated changes.

The principles the first equation is based on seems to violate relativity, as one cannot approach light waves faster than their speed of propagation.
 
  • #5
yes, it is true that both equations are similar at low velocities, but this a mathematical derivation of an equation and not a numerical approximation.

I plotted the graphs of both equations, and from what i can see, both show significant deviations at about 0.1c
 

1. What is Rohrlich's derivation of E=mc2 wrong?

Rohrlich's derivation of E=mc2 is a proposed alternative derivation of Einstein's famous equation that attempts to show that the equation is not a fundamental law of nature, but rather a consequence of more basic principles. However, many physicists argue that Rohrlich's derivation is flawed and does not hold up to rigorous scrutiny.

2. What is the main flaw in Rohrlich's derivation?

The main flaw in Rohrlich's derivation is that it relies on the assumption that the speed of light is not constant, but rather depends on the velocity of the observer. This contradicts one of the fundamental principles of Einstein's theory of relativity, which states that the speed of light is always constant for all observers.

3. Why is it important to understand the flaws in Rohrlich's derivation?

It is important to understand the flaws in Rohrlich's derivation because it helps to reinforce the validity of Einstein's theory of relativity and the fundamental nature of E=mc2. It also helps to avoid confusion and misinformation about this important equation.

4. Has Rohrlich's derivation been widely accepted by the scientific community?

No, Rohrlich's derivation has not been widely accepted by the scientific community. While it has sparked some debate and discussion, the majority of physicists reject it as a valid alternative to Einstein's theory of relativity.

5. Are there any other proposed derivations of E=mc2?

Yes, there have been other proposed derivations of E=mc2, but none have been widely accepted as a valid alternative to Einstein's equation. Some of these derivations are based on different interpretations or assumptions about the underlying principles, but they have not been able to provide a more compelling explanation for the relationship between mass and energy.

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