can someone explain the theory of relativity in laymans terms please
2007-12-12 05:22:43 · 7 answers · asked by Glenn F 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
In physics, mass–energy equivalence is the concept that any mass has an associated energy and vice versa. In special relativity this relationship is expressed using the mass–energy equivalence formula
where
E = the energy equivalent to the mass (in joules)
m = the mass (in kilograms)
c = the speed of light in a vacuum (celeritas) (in meters per second).
Several definitions of mass in special relativity may be validly used with this formula. If the mass in the formula is the rest mass m0, the energy in the formula is called the rest energy E0. If the mass is the relativistic mass, then the energy is the total energy.
The formula was discovered by Albert Einstein, who arrived at it in 1905 in what is known as his Annus Mirabilis ("Wonderful Year") Papers. While Einstein was not the first to propose a mass–energy relationship, and various similar formulas appeared before Einstein's theory, Einstein was the first to propose that the equivalence of mass and energy is a general principle, which is a consequence of the symmetries of space and time.
In the formula, c2 is the conversion factor required to convert from units of mass to units of energy, i.e., the energy density. In unit-specific terms, E (joules or kg·m2/s2) = m (kilograms) multiplied by (299,792,458 m/s)2.
2007-12-12 05:26:09 · answer #1 · answered by Evilheat 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Some people find it helpful to think of E=mc^2 as saying that all energy has a mass.
So for example, 1 g of hydrogen combines with 8 g of oxygen (not exactly those figures, but just for the example assume it is) to make NOT 9 g of water, but a tiny bit less than 9 g of water, the balance being the mass of the energy (ie: heat) liberated in the reaction.
2007-12-12 06:02:42 · answer #2 · answered by za 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You need to read a good book about it. Start with Wikipedia, if you must. The equivalence of mass and energy is just a tiny result from the complete treatment of relativistic mechanics. Once you understand the complete theory, you will know where it arises.
As to the meaning: it simply says that energy, which is the ability of a system to perform work, is linked to a mass term. In reality it is a little bit more complicated than that, because even light, which does not have a rest mass, still has a momentum and momentum is inextricably linked with with energy in special relativity. One without the other does not exists and they form what is called a four-vector which can be transformed by Lorentz transforms which will give you the correct energy/momentum in a moving coordinate system.
So you can not have a system that can perform work without it having mass-momentum. You can not have mass-momentum without the ability to perform work (see matter-anti-matter annihilation).
2007-12-12 05:32:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
It means that the energy contained in a mass (Nuclear energy) is equal to mass time speed of light squared.
2007-12-12 05:27:21 · answer #4 · answered by lonelyspirit 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
energy = mass constant (light speed) squared.
this is as simple as it gets.
2007-12-12 05:27:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
dude just have a look on google that will help lol
2007-12-12 05:26:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
what goes up, must come down.
2007-12-12 05:25:57 · answer #7 · answered by paul m 3 · 1⤊ 7⤋