Planck’s Quantum Hypothesis and Concept of Mass from Special Relativity

Abstract

It is established that special relativity and quantum mechanics are two very wide apart theories of measurements in modern physics in terms of determinism versus indeterminism. Modern physics accepts indeterminism against classical determinism. But it is remarkable that Einstein's special relativity in its present form alone contains the basic ingredients of quantum theory. Einstein's theory can give a simple theoretical proof of the Planck's quantum hypothesis and can explain the origin of mass out of zero rest mass of photon. This article at the first place shows how to proceed in this path from relativistic energy momentum relations and at the second place it shows the reason of energy and momentum indeterminacy from the framework of relativity. At the last phase the article puts a question on the sustainability of special relativity itself before oscillation of any kind. This paper deals with the matter to the extent special relativity containing quantum theory. Index Terms— Special relativity, simultaneity of events, Planck's quantum theory, energy momentum 4 vector, Heisenberg's indeterminacy principle, concept of mass, ensemble of photon. —————————— a —————————— 1 I NTRODUCTION t is a common belief that the jurisdiction of special relativi- ty and quantum theory are mutually exclusive. In 1900 Max Planck gave his famous quantum hypothesis of light together with the energy- frequency relation . Eh Q In 1905 Einstein gave special relativity. Both the regime went their own way and ultimately clashed each other with the arrival of Heisenberg's indeterminacy principle in 1926. Einstein con- ceded defeat to Bohr ultimately but still believed that quan- tum theory lacks something very serious. But modern physics points clearly to the triumph of Heisenberg's indeterminacy principle in every context. Nonetheless it is worthwhile to mention that the very genesis of quantum theory of light pre- scribed by Eh Q and the very essence of mass can be de- rived even in the frame work of special relativity. Even Ein- stein could get it using his own energy momentum relation. Planck's quantum relation of photon and the construction of mass from an ensemble of photons are indeed inbuilt in Ein- stein's theory. We can even reconcile Heisenberg's principle of indeterminacy with the framework built by Einstein.