Physics of Atomic Nuclei
Relation between energy and mass in Bohr's essay on his debate with einstein
Lev B. Okun
Abstract
The famous debate between Einstein and Bohr on the (in)consistency of quantum mechanics was described in detail by Bohr in his essay of 1949. The present article comments not on the main subject of the debate but only on the terminology that is relevant to the notions of the theory of relativity and which was used by the participants. In particular, their statement on the equivalence of mass and energy should not be taken literally. In fact, the rest energy is meant here. The authority of the two great physicists should not be misused to preserve the confusing terminology.