Mass in Relativity: Bucherer's Experiment Result

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of Bucherer's experiment in the context of relativity, particularly regarding the concept of mass. Participants explore whether Bucherer's results can serve as a foundational point for relativistic dynamics and the relationship between invariant mass and relativistic mass.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Historical
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the equation m = γm(0) could be considered an experimental result from Bucherer's work.
  • Others argue that the distinction between invariant mass and relativistic mass does not matter as long as consistency is maintained in usage.
  • A participant suggests that a comprehensive resource on mass should be made a sticky for reference, indicating a preference for a neutral presentation of the topic.
  • One participant raises a question about whether Bucherer's results can be viewed independently from Einstein's special relativity and if they can be used as a starting point for deriving relativistic dynamics.
  • Another participant notes the historical precedence of Kaufmann's experiments on fast-moving electrons prior to Bucherer's, but emphasizes that their interest lies in the independence of Bucherer's results rather than historical priority.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the significance of Bucherer's results in relation to Einstein's theory and the definitions of mass. There is no consensus on whether Bucherer's findings can be independently foundational for relativistic dynamics.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations in the discussion include the dependence on definitions of mass and the unresolved nature of how Bucherer's results relate to established theories in relativity.

bernhard.rothenstein
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could ve consider that m=gamaxm(0) is an experimental result (Bucherer)?
 
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bernhard.rothenstein said:
could ve consider that m=gamaxm(0) is an experimental result (Bucherer)?


Jeez! Can't we get a common sticky or something on this issue? It DOESN't MATTER whether you use invariant mass or [tex]\gamma m[/tex] as long as you are consistent, and quoting some physicist or textbook who does one or the other does not establish any TRUTH.
 
selfAdjoint said:
Jeez! Can't we get a common sticky or something on this issue? It DOESN't MATTER whether you use invariant mass or [tex]\gamma m[/tex] as long as you are consistent, and quoting some physicist or textbook who does one or the other does not establish any TRUTH.

Why not place - http://www.geocities.com/physics_world/mass_paper.pdf
as a sticky. I covered all aspects of mass and made my best attempt at being neutral but I do have my preferences! Take a look at it and see if you want to make it a sticky. I'd enjoy reading your response to it, even if you just place it in my PM box.

Pete
 
bucherer

selfAdjoint said:
Jeez! Can't we get a common sticky or something on this issue? It DOESN't MATTER whether you use invariant mass or [tex]\gamma m[/tex] as long as you are consistent, and quoting some physicist or textbook who does one or the other does not establish any TRUTH.
my problem is not with semantics (mass, relativistic mass...) but with the problem if Bucherer's result could be a starting point in relativistic dynamics? Please be more explicit with with your first sentence.
 
If you're asking about historical priority, Kaufmann's experiments on fast-moving electrons (1906) came before Bucherer's (1908).

For specific references, see the relevant section of the Usenet Physics FAQ.
 
jtbell said:
If you're asking about historical priority, Kaufmann's experiments on fast-moving electrons (1906) came before Bucherer's (1908).

For specific references, see the relevant section of the Usenet Physics FAQ.
thanks for your help. my problem is not with the priority but with the fact if Bucherer's (Kaufman's) result could be considered as independent from Einstein's special relativity and if we could start with it in order to derive relativistic dynamics.
 

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