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rasp
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I'm new to the forum and I'm not being purposefully thick, but has anybody wondered how this equation works? I mean if c is the fastest anything can go, then what sense does it make to use a quantity like c^2? Thanks!
To understand why it's c^2 as opposed to some other velocity squared, you need to look at an actual derivation of the equation. Here is one for the special case of a photon being absorbed by the walls of a box, though you'd need a more general derivation for arbitrary bound systems.rasp said:Ok, thanks. I now understand what you mean by the relationship in terms of dimensions. But is it just the "beauty of reality" expressed in math that allows the equation to be exactly c^2 and not c X some fraction of C, or is there something more intrinsic involved.
Special Relativity, from which e=mc² comes, is built on the postulate that c is an invariant speed. It is a fundamental constant of the universe. As a result, measurements of time and space differ depending on relative motion. Taking this into account, you find that the energy of a moving mass is not e=mv²/2 butrasp said:"The equation has the units of energy..." that's the part I get. It's the part of the specific quantity of (300,000 m/s)^2 which I find unique. Like why that number and not another?
Separate question: Does e=mc^2 have anything to do with the principle that the resting mass of a particle changes continually as the particle approaches the speed of light. Is that special relativity effect due to a mass to energy conversion?
v<<c, betterFredrik said:when you take the limit c→∞, .
E=mc^2 is a famous equation developed by Albert Einstein which states that energy (E) is equal to mass (m) multiplied by the speed of light squared (c^2). This means that energy and mass are two interchangeable forms, and that a small amount of mass can be converted into a large amount of energy.
E=mc^2 is a key component of Einstein's theory of relativity. It explains the relationship between energy and mass, and how they are affected by the speed of light. The theory of relativity also explains how time and space are relative, and how they are affected by gravity.
E=mc^2 has many practical applications, including the development of nuclear power and nuclear weapons. It also plays a role in understanding the behavior of stars and the creation of the universe. Additionally, it is used in medical imaging techniques such as PET scans.
E=mc^2 is considered one of the most famous equations in science because it completely changed our understanding of energy, mass, and the universe. It also paved the way for groundbreaking scientific discoveries and has been confirmed by numerous experiments and observations.
Yes, E=mc^2 is a universal constant, meaning that it applies to every object in the universe. This equation holds true regardless of location or time, and has been proven to be accurate in countless experiments and observations.