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

This note presents a pedestrian derivation of E=mc² for freshmen in chemistry, 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.

The following notes are stimulated from class lectures given to students in college preparing for a major in chemistry and to freshman in chemistry. While they constitute no original contribution to a subject that has been widely discussed, it is hoped that they may be of help to some teachers, students, and any enthusiast amateurs.