1. What is E=mc²?

Einstein's mass-energy equivalence formula states that energy (E) equals mass (m) multiplied by the speed of light (c) squared. This revolutionary equation shows that mass can be converted into energy and vice versa.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Einstein's famous equation:

Where:

• \( E \) — Energy (Joules)
• \( m \) — Mass (kilograms)
• \( c \) — Speed of light (meters/second)

Explanation: The equation demonstrates that even a small amount of mass contains enormous energy due to the speed of light being a very large number.

3. Importance of Mass-Energy Equivalence

Details: This equation underlies nuclear reactions, explaining both nuclear power generation and atomic weapons. It's fundamental to modern physics and our understanding of the universe.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and the speed of light in meters/second (default is 3 × 10⁸ m/s). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is c squared in the equation?
A: The squared term comes from the relationship between energy and momentum in special relativity, reflecting how energy scales with velocity.

Q2: What are practical applications of E=mc²?
A: Nuclear power plants, medical radiation therapy, PET scans, and understanding stellar energy production all rely on this principle.

Q3: Can we convert energy back to mass?
A: Yes, particle accelerators routinely convert energy into matter by creating particle-antiparticle pairs from high-energy collisions.

Q4: Why don't we notice E=mc² in daily life?
A: The conversion factor (c²) is so large that the energy changes in chemical reactions (which involve tiny mass changes) are negligible.

Q5: How accurate is this calculator?
A: It provides exact calculations based on the inputs, though real-world nuclear processes involve additional considerations like binding energy.