2006-06-13 12:30:36 · 8 answers · asked by Matthew G 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
A beam of light exhiibits radiation pressure by pushing against any matter it makes contact with. This shows that the beam of light has momentum and energy. Einstein reasoned that light energy has the characteristics of mass or inertia. It has been shown that all forms of energy have inertia and one type of energy can be transformeded into some other energy form.
2006-06-13 15:38:59 · answer #1 · answered by M31 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The significance (or as you say, innovation) within the E=mc^2 formula specifically is simply the idea that matter and energy are equivalent and in fact may be directly converted from one form to the other. It was made famous due to its direct link to atomic theory and the development of the atomic bomb. However, it is only a very small portion of the grander scheme of General Relativity.
2006-06-13 12:47:12 · answer #2 · answered by stellarfirefly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This means that energy = mass * the speed of light ^2
This was cool since anything with mass can never exceed the speed of light (not enough energy).
It was used to determine the different amounts of energy that could be released if a certain mass was taken away in things like atomic explosions.
2006-06-13 12:37:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The innovation was that Einstein originally proposed it as the formula for haemorrhoid cream, but when that didn't work he stumbled upon its alternative use.
He was (of course) stood up at the time.
2006-06-13 12:33:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
e=mc2 is not the equation, just a portion of the entire thing.
2006-06-13 12:33:56 · answer #5 · answered by loveboatcaptain 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means energy = mass times the speed of light squared.
If that make no sense to you, you have asked the wrong question.
2006-06-13 12:36:25 · answer #6 · answered by Russell S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
new fields in science: nanothechnology, nuclear science, quantum physics, just to name a few.
2006-06-13 12:33:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
did you say e=mc Hammer?
2006-06-13 12:34:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋