1. What is E=mc²?

The equation E=mc² is Einstein's mass-energy equivalence formula, showing that energy (E) and mass (m) are interchangeable. It's a fundamental concept in physics that demonstrates how a small amount of mass can be converted into a large amount of energy.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Einstein's famous equation:

Where:

• \( E \) — Energy (Joules)
• \( m \) — Mass (kilograms)
• \( c \) — Speed of light in vacuum (299,792,458 m/s)

Explanation: The equation shows that energy is equal to mass multiplied by the speed of light squared, demonstrating the direct proportionality between mass and energy.

3. Importance of Mass-Energy Equivalence

Details: This equation revolutionized physics by showing that mass can be converted to energy and vice versa. It's the principle behind nuclear power and atomic weapons.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and the speed of light in meters per second (default is 300,000,000 m/s for simplification). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the speed of light squared in the equation?
A: The c² term comes from the relationship between space and time in special relativity, representing the conversion factor between mass and energy.

Q2: What are practical applications of E=mc²?
A: Nuclear power plants, atomic bombs, and understanding stellar energy production all rely on this principle.

Q3: Does this mean all mass can be converted to energy?
A: In theory yes, but in practice only certain nuclear reactions can convert a small fraction of mass to energy.

Q4: Why is the energy value so large for small masses?
A: Because the speed of light is very large (300,000,000 m/s) and it's squared in the equation, making the energy equivalent enormous.

Q5: Is this the complete energy equation?
A: For objects at rest, yes. For moving objects, the full equation is more complex, accounting for momentum.