2006-10-20 08:20:00 · 12 answers · asked by datsun100 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Literally, energy (e) equals the mass of an object (m) times the square of the speed of light (c2). This can be interpreted as follows: If you could move at the square of the speed of light, you would become a form of energy, but the formula is designed for particles like protons, electrons, and neutrons. For example, the mass of an electron is 0.511 MeV/c2, note that the c2 is in the denominator so it will cancel out when you multiply by the speed of light squared, leaving the energy unit MeV, but that is for another question.
2006-10-20 08:31:24 · answer #1 · answered by Action 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Four atoms of Hydrogen in the sun change to one atom of Helium.When this happens a tiny amount of mass is lost - called the mass defect and an enormous amount of energy is released. Einstein showed that if you use Joules for energy, Kilogrammes for mass and Metres per second for the speed of light, then the energy released is equal to the loss in mass times the square of the speed of light. That could save your global warming and we are working on it.
2006-10-20 15:47:20 · answer #2 · answered by Jim S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
e = mc^2 is Albert Einstein's mass energy equivalence which says energy is equal to the product of the mass of a body and the square of the speed of light. If a particle travels at the speed of light, it's mass changes into energy.
2006-10-20 15:24:15 · answer #3 · answered by Rob Zombie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Energy=mass times the speed of light squared I think.
2006-10-20 15:23:12 · answer #4 · answered by ♣ My Brainhurts ♣ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
E= energy
m=mass
c^2 = speed of light squared
it basically relates mass to the amount of stored energy in an object
2006-10-20 15:24:45 · answer #5 · answered by Amanda 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The equation states that there is an equivalence between energy (E) and mass (m), in direct proportion to the square of the speed of light in a vacuum (c2).
2006-10-20 15:23:35 · answer #6 · answered by SteveT 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the fameous equation that Einstein developed. Energy = Mass X The speed of light squared. It shows massive amounts of energy can be obtained from small amounts of matter.
2006-10-20 15:22:34 · answer #7 · answered by Darien 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Ok assume your'e familiar with the Lorentz transforms for mass, length, time.
M=Mo/sqroot(1-v^2/c^2). Mo=rest mass, M=relativistic mass, c=speed of light.
> M=Mo(1-v^2/c^2)^-1/2
>M=Mo(1+v^2/2c^2) using approx binomial expansion
>M=Mo+Mv^2/(2c^2)
>change of mass=M-Mo= Mv^2/c^2
nearly there!
Mv^2/2 =Ek =energy due to motion
>mass change= Ek/c^2
> E=(mass change)x C^2
Simple isn't it! (wish could get proper math symbols easily on here)
2006-10-20 22:32:34 · answer #8 · answered by troothskr 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you look into the distant heavens, from time to time you'll see an exploding galaxy. That means a faraway civilisation has just evolved to the point that they understand the meaning of e=mc²
2006-10-20 15:26:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its the exchange rate for energy and mass. It tells you how much energy you'll get for a given amount of matter.
2006-10-20 15:58:45 · answer #10 · answered by black sheep 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋