Relativistic mass and modern physics

TL;DR

This paper critically examines the concept of relativistic mass, arguing it is incompatible with modern physics and exploring the modern, cohomological understanding of mass.

Contribution

It clarifies the disconnect between relativistic mass and modern physics, highlighting the cohomological origin of mass as a novel perspective.

Findings

Relativistic mass is incompatible with modern physics.

Modern physics introduces mass through a cohomological framework.

The paper clarifies misconceptions about relativistic mass.

Abstract

At first sight, arguments for and against the notion of relativistic mass look like a notorious intra-Lilliputian quarrel between Big-Endians (those who broke their eggs at the larger end) and Little-Endians. However, upon closer inspection we discover that the relativistic mass notion is alien to the spirit of modern physics to a much greater extent than it seems. To demonstrate an abyss between the modern approach and archaic notions, in this paper we explore how the concept of mass is introduced in modern physics. This modern approach reveals a deep cohomological origin of mass.