Mass from classical to relativistic context: A proposal of conceptual unification experimented in the IDIFO3 summer school

Abstract

The IDIFO3 summer school proposed a basic concept construction in modern physics to young talented students. Inertial and gravitational mass concepts were examined in Newtonian paradigm, the former according to Mach as well. Temporal component of 4-momentum was interpreted as total relativistic energy, through series expansion at low velocities; we then built the relativistic conceptual extension of mass starting from rest energy.We integrated an analysis on howstudents consider mass with an inquiry on mass meanings produced by our path. The results allowed us to recognize five student profiles.