Can some one explain E=mc2?

Answer 1

E=mc2 is one of the most famous equations in physics, even to non-physicists. It states a relationship between energy (E), in whatever form, and relativistic mass (m). In this formula, c², the square of the speed of light in a vacuum, is the conversion factor required to formally convert from units of mass to units of energy, i.e. the energy per unit mass. In unit-specific terms, E (joules) = m (kilograms) multiplied by (299792458 m/s)2.

The equation was first published in a slightly different formulation by Albert Einstein in 1905 in one of his famous articles. He derived it as a consequence of the special theory of relativity which he had proposed the same year.

Answer 2

Read the book "Why does E=mc2?" By Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw Published by Da Capo Press a member of the Perseus Books Group ISBN 978-0-306-81758-8

Answer 3

5

Answer 4

E=mc2 is a version of Einstein's famous Relativity equation. Specifically, it means that Energy is equal to Mass times the speed of light squared. In essence, it states that there is an equivalence between mass and energy. This simple statement has many profound implications... such as no object with mass can ever go faster than the speed of light!

Answer 5

You can get more information and explanation in the book 'Modern Physics" written by Beiser.

Any way, the eqn is originated from the conception of relative theory .

An object moving in a speed much lower than that of light obey to
Newtonian classical mechanics but for something in a high
speed comparable to light , the classical theory can't be used.

The eqn means that the total energy of an object is mass times the square of the speed of light , c = 300000 km / s .
That means the energy is not dependent on its velocity.

Answer 6

E=mc2. Energy equals matter times the speed of light squared. In other words, a teeny bit of matter, multiplied by a huge number (the speed of light squared), becomes a gawdawful gigantic amount of energy.

Matter is the same as frozen energy. Energy is the same as liberated matter. A speck of matter = a great deal of energy.

That's why the sun shines. It's also the reason nuclear bombs work.

Answer 7

Bugger with all these mind blowing answers, here is the lamens terms.

In the 1600s, the Mentally Mighty Albert Einstein came up with the General Theory of Relativity. Including a lot of sub-bits like E=mc^2

This equation states the relationship between mass (m) and Energy (E) when something dissappears (Like in a Nucleur Reaction).

c is Speed of Light.

Answer 8

Forget the equation for a moment. Einstein had a simple idea he wanted to communicate: that energy and mass are equivalent. Two expressions of the same thing, put it that way.

To write this using math,

energy = mass.

"e" and "m" stand for just these in E=Mc^2.

So let's say a lump of mass were to turn to energy. What would happen to it?

Pure energy naturally travels at the speed of light - 186,000 miles a second, plus change. So this 'ex-mass' is now travelling as fast as anything can in our universe. (I'd imagine it'd expand outward in a growing sphere, but that's a side detail.)

So that's what the letter "c" stands for in e=mc^2. The speed of light, because in order to describe what that energy is doing, you'd have to multiply light-speed times mass. But why the "^2"?

"^2" means that c is "squared" - or mulitiplied by itself, once.

Why square the velocity of light? Let's say you're driving in your car at 30 miles per hour. There are no police around, so you decide to be naughty and press the accelerator until you are travelling at 60 MPH.

The energy your car now has is not "twice as much" as it was when you were travelling at 30 MPH. It is *four times* as much, because the energy content of something goes up with the square of its velocity.

Just like light in E=MC^2. In order to describe just how energy and mass are the same thing, Einstein showed us just what we'd have to multiply to a given mass in order to make it behave like energy.

What is 186,000 squared? A godawful freaking huge number. I'll leave that to you to work out.

To be honest, I learned this a couple of days ago. Before then I totally did not grasp just what Einstein meant here. See below for the explanation that set me straight. Hope this helps.

Answer 9

No problem, the formula is to find out the (possible radiation-)energy of mass carrying particles, 'cause mass is also a kind of energy...You probably know, that mass can be transferred into radiation energy .by colliding matter and antimatter, like electrons and positrons
If you do that, the e- and e+ turn into 2 photons with the energy 522keV each, which is exactly, what comes out, if you multiply the square of light-speed with the electron mass....

Answer 10

E=mc2 is one of the most famous equations in physics, even to non-physicists. It states a relationship between energy (E), in whatever form, and relativistic mass (m). In this formula, c², the square of the speed of light in a vacuum, is the conversion factor required to formally convert from units of mass to units of energy, i.e. the energy per unit mass. In unit-specific terms, E (joules) = m (kilograms) multiplied by (299792458 m/s)2.

The equation was first published in a slightly different formulation by Albert Einstein in 1905 in one of his famous articles. He derived it as a consequence of the special theory of relativity which he had proposed the same year.