i know that c=speed of light but why that specific value?
2007-07-03 11:31:14 · 9 answers · asked by Kevin T 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Ahem. E=mc^2 is NOT analogous to the equation for kinetic energy, nor is it derived from it. It is almost, but not quite, completely coincidental that it looks like E = 1/2 mv^2.
E=mc^2 can be derived from the Special Theory of Relativity, which states that an object increases its mass as its speed increases. By making an equation the relates the increase in mass to the increase in energy, you can determine that the relationship is E=mc^2.
This could actually be calculated even before Einstein, since the math and theory was around. It was Einstein, however, who was the first to assert that this change in mass wasn't just funny math stuff to make physics work--it _actually_ does happen, which noone believed at the time. He went on to say that E=mc^2 doesn't just apply to relativistic mass (mass gained when going fast), but also to rest mass (the mass at rest) as well, and this handily explained some results the atomic physicists were getting.
In short, E=mc^2 is not really anything special--it is the _conclusions_ you draw from it that are important. It is definitely not, however, simply derived from the expression E = 1/2 mv^2
2007-07-03 12:24:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
E=MC^2 is really an equation for kinetic energy.
E(k) = 1/2 MV^2
I've always wondered why it's not E=1/2 MC^2, but... anyway, the maximum velocity of any particle is C. Energy is essentially only capable of moving at C. So, when you convert some unit of mass to energy, the result is really the maximum amount of kinetic energy a mass can have, which is MC^2.
2007-07-03 11:37:47 · answer #2 · answered by quantumclaustrophobe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just to add to the last good answers, as pointed out, e=mc^2 is simply an extension of the Applied Science formula for kinetic energy. That is, except that the v^2 in the formula is c^2, speed of light squared. It is basically the fact that conversion of matter to energy in the nuclear process releases that energy as radiation, which has a velocity of c.
Incidentally, the fact that c is so big, and c^2 really mind boggling, is the reason there is so much energy released in the nuclear reactions, and why the sun can “burn” for billions of years.
2007-07-03 11:45:43 · answer #3 · answered by nick s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
E = MC^2 is not an equation for kinetic energy. It's an equation for the energy equivalent of mass if all the mass were converted to energy as happens in atomic weapons and stars.
2007-07-03 13:07:02 · answer #4 · answered by Renaissance Man 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is used to find the amount of energy in an object.
Energy= mass of an object x the speed of light to the second power
2007-07-03 11:38:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
using equations of realtivity u can derive this equation, not kinetic energy equation. this is a form of it E= mc^2 but it has other forms , but the latter form is the most widely known and the most important one. so there is another form where this c is not included.. so what u get from the relation between 2 sides of equation is what matters, but which form to use depends on what u need
2007-07-03 12:42:56 · answer #6 · answered by M!z0 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's apparent that mass and the speed of light are tied together in a fundamental way in the underlying nature of the universe. We don't know why that is... yet!
2007-07-03 14:48:18 · answer #7 · answered by Michael da Man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its the numerical constant that OCCURS in time-space. Therefore, all light moves at C, unless it occurs outside of our universe?????However, this equation is not completely accurate....i.e. black holes. Einstein almost had it!!!!
2007-07-03 11:57:18 · answer #8 · answered by Brady B 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
he considered (einstein) Wienerschnitzel first,,,,decided its not very resonant,,,,,,other answers great,10 pts please
2007-07-06 17:39:36 · answer #9 · answered by quackpotwatcher 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋