A Brief Pedestrian Derivation of E = mc² for the Amateur Enthusiasts

This note presents a pedestrian derivation of 𝐸=𝑚𝑐2 for freshmen in the physical sciences, with a method similar to that of ‘handling units’. Such a picturesque derivation of the formula uses nothing but Newtonian laws of motions that do not go beyond mere definitions, together with well-known elementary physical quantities such as distance, velocity, force, momentum, and energy. The pedagogic merit of such an approach is discussed.

Keywords: Special relativity, Physics education.