Re: Steve Carlip and Relativistic Mass

From: Gerry Quinn (gerryq_at_DELETETHISindigo.ie)
Date: 12/28/04 

Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 17:47:53 -0000

In article <1103586964.457245.182540@c13g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>,
lvlus@hotmail.com says...
> Well, Steve, if you're right then the Relativity FAQ is wrong, or
> vice-versa....

These days the FAQ hems and haws on the issue, devoting as much text to
it as it might otherwise give to a substantial branch of physics. It
might be thought that any concept - even if it were not a perfectly
valid one - would add to the mental armoury of a student encountering
it. But relativistic mass, it appears, is so uniquely pernicious in its
effects that desperate efforts must be made to shield students from its
intellectual radiation.

Conspicuous by its absence is any actual evidence that the concept
actually confuses people, other than those likely to be confused by any
aspect of relativity. Even then, relativistic mass tends to be one of
the few things they get nearly right!

The problem, of course, is that certain folk (and since his name is on
the thread, let me say I'm *not* thinking of Steve Carlip here) are
trying not just to teach relativity, but to instill a particular culture
of how to think about physics. Ideas like 'relativistic mass' allow
students to conceptualise along non-standard lines, which of course is
deplorable. Who do they think they are, Einstein?

For the obedient student, relativistic mass provides an early lesson in
how to 'not think' about undesirable concepts. With practice, he or she
will become adept at declaring statements 'meaningless' when they do not
follow the approved conventions. Then, and only then, should they
engage in discussions in this forum, as there will be no risk of any
information being imparted to either side.

- Gerry Quinn
 

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