Challenges in Interpreting Mass Energy Relationship as per Modern view; the case of Wolaita Sodo University Physics Community

Research Article

Challenges in Interpreting Mass Energy Relationship as per Modern view; the case of Wolaita Sodo University Physics Community

Belachew Desalegn

Corresponding Author : Belachew Desalegn

Department of Physics, Wolaita Sodo University, PO box 138, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia

Email ID : belachewdesalegn76@gmail.com

Received : 2018-01-11 Accepted : 2018-02-05 Published : 2018-02-05

Abstract : The mass-energy relationship, E=mc^2 which was proposed by Einstein in 1905 under his Special Relativity Theory has removed the barrier between matter and energy. However, it was traditionally set to have had incorrect interpretation in many books. Such interpretation includes 1) mass is variant 2) mass is completely equivalent to energy 3) mass can be converted in to energy and 4) mass(inertia) is conserved because mass equals energy divided by c^2, and energy is always conserved. More recently, the new view has followed to indicate conceptual interpretation that contradicts the above one. Though this new conceptual interpretation has widely been accepted as correct representation of E=mc^2, it is remaining puzzle to large number of the students amid the old view is still drastically persisting through books. The very limited internet access is another challenge that exacerbates this situation. Accordingly, this article provides mass-energy related interpretation in the domain of modern view. It also examines misconceptions that have been inherited from aforementioned challenge. In addition, this article identifies issues and proposes solutions and suggestions that are helpful to create conducive environment in introducing correct interpretation of E=〖mc〗^2 to students.

Keywords : modern view, mass-energy relationship,

Citation : Belachew Desalegn (2018). Challenges in Interpreting Mass Energy Relationship as per Modern view; the case of Wolaita Sodo University Physics Community. j. of Physical and Chemical Sciences.V6I1-02. DOI : 10.5281/zenodo.1167944

Copyright : © 2018 Belachew Desalegn . This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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