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[Phys-L] blue road physics



Is anyone composing a response to Elisha Huggins's article on relativistic mass and mass of a photon in November 2012 ,The Physics Teacher? First he ignores C. G. Adler's paper (Am. J. Phys., 55(8), August 1987) which addresses the problems associated with "relativistic mass." Next, he asserts that using relativistic mass is just another correct way to do the physics. Finally, he uses special relativity in an accelerating reference frame to talk about trajectories of photons. He never approaches relativistic momentum as _gamma_mass_velocity.

He wants to introduce SR early, an admirable thing. Why would he use, at best, an out-dated concept (see Adler cf. Feynmann Lectures of 1963), and at worst, a mistaken concept ( versus GR)? Adler points out that even Einstein discouraged the velocity-dependent mass.

It seems to me that his approach is similar to saying the Bohr model is right simply because it gives the right energy answers.

What think ye?

B Nettles
x6588