Einstein’s mass-energy equivalence equation (E=mc2) shows that mass and energy are equivalent (but not “exactly the same”) properties of a physical system. In more formal terms, the equation says: that for bodies in rest and motion, the total energy (E) in a physical system is equal to its mass (m) times the speed of light squared (c2).
Although it is true that mass and energy have equivalence, one has to consider the difference between systems in rest and systems in motion.
E=mc2 is a shorthand equation that works for bodies at rest as written, however it needs to be expanded on to work for bodies in motion (which makes sense, we need to consider another variable, so we need to expand the equation).
With the above in mind, Einstein’s mass-energy equivalence equation (E=mc2) can be understood two ways:
TIP: Learn more about the different types of mass, learn about why some say this Energy–momentum relation is more correct than E=mc2, or see a more technical version of the discussion here.)
Or, in Einstein’s own simple but essentially correct words, “the mass of a body is a measure of its energy content”
The bottomline: With mass and energy’s relation to “momentum” accounted for (see special relativity), we can safely say that mass and energy are equivalent, but not “exactly the same”, properties of a system that can be considered together as “mass-energy.” So mass-energy is mass, kinetic energy, and potential energy considered together.
So, in summary E=mc2 implies:
These simple facts have many deep meanings. Below we will go into detail on each point we made to help clarify exactly how mass-energy equivalence does and doesn’t work. Try watching the following videos for a different frame of reference.
Einstein’s Proof of E=mc². Describing mass-energy equivalence and special relativity. The PBS video below is better, but this video and the one below are a little less heady. E=mc² is Incomplete. Describing mass-energy equivalence for relativistic mass, i.e. with momentum “p” (a type of motion) added in.TIP: E=mc2 describes the fact that mass is a measure of potential energy, a fuller relativistic energy equation E2=(pc)2+(mc2)2 describes what happens when we increase “p” momentum. Generally all these equations are going to be “short hand” versions of the true full equations, and can be expressed a number of ways (some of which we describe below, see additional examples).
“We can explain everything about the universe (aside gravity and nuclear force) by understanding electromagnetic energy. Even the laugh of the audience when I say that statement can, if our theories are correct, likely be explained this way.” – Paraphrasing Richard Feynman speaking on Quantum Electrodynamics (the study of energy on the quantum level, and thus relevant to Einstein).
FACT:Einstein didn’t actually say E=mc2, Einstein wrote down the equation (as roughly) m=E/c2 in his 1905 paper “DOES THE INERTIA OF A BODY DEPEND UPON ITS ENERGY-CONTENT?” Physics and math are languages that describe natural phenomena. There are many ways to say “the mass of a body is a measure of its energy content.” Einstein himself was more a thinker than a math whiz. He was, in some ways, only trying to solve special relativity as a paradox described by Henri Poincaré. Here we can say “although there are lone wolves and great men, most ideas, inventions, and discoveries are a collective effort, even if only indirectly”.
The above covers all the basics, but the concept is heady, so lets look at some other factors and examine the details from a few angles to tie everything together.
In very simple terms, [almost] everything that isn’t true empty space is energy in some form (including mass, motion, charge, light, heat, etc), thus it is no surprise that kinetic energy can act as mass and mass can be conserved as kinetic energy in physical systems (systems of one or more particle).
Our bodies are constantly conserving (not converting) mass as energy, and energy as mass, as we burn and intake calories. A star or another physical system isn’t much different. Einstein’s equation proved this phenomena with mathematics (building on the work of Newton, Maxwell, Lorentz, etc), and in doing so proved something fundamental about our universe.
The Kugelblitz: A Black Hole Made From Light. Since, on one level [almost] everything is energy and energy can act as mass, we should theoretically be able to create a black hole out of pure light. This “Kugelblitz” might not seem to have much to do with Einstein, but the concept actually demonstrates the basics of mass-energy equivalence in action in a unique and simple way.In more formal terms, Einstein’s mass-energy equation is a simplified equation that shows that the potential energy of a system of one or more particles (mass) is equivalent in value to the total kinetic energy of the system (energy) using the speed of light (the max speed of energy) squared as a conversion factor.
This equation works because both mass and energy are measures of the same thing, “energy content”. This can be explained by realizing that energy, mass, and light all arise from the same fundamental forces, namely: electromagnetic energy.
Electromagnetic energy stored as potential energy is “essentially” what we call mass, electromagnetic energy used for acceleration of objects with mass is relativistic mass (special relativity), mass and motion curve spacetime (gravity, general relativity), and light speed is the constant and only speed pure energy can travel in a vacuum (light speed).
All known matter and energy can be described as quantum particles moving in wave-like fields at light speed exhibiting the measurable properties of mass-energy and motion, and all of that can be explained by understanding electromagnetic energy and using equations related to the shorthand equation E=mc2.
That probably sounds more complicated than it is (working on a simple explainer over time here), try watching the following video for a visual and reading the clarifications below.
The Real Meaning of E=mc² | Space Time | PBS Digital Studios. This series is a must watch for anyone interested in physics. There is no simple way to explain mass-energy, but the concept is oddly simple once you get it (sort of like binary computing). No mathematics or physics background is needed to understand the basics, it just takes a little spacetime and mass-energy.TIP: Einstein said, “if you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough”. Feynman said, “you won’t understand it, and I don’t understand it either.” The goal isn’t perfection, it is a constant journey toward deeper truths.
TIP: When we consider the way motion affects things it is called special relativity, when we consider how gravity affects things it is called general relativity.
We can prove mass-energy equivalence on many different mathematical and physical levels by comparing mass and energy to the universal physical constants (meaning things that don’t change in the physical universe). These constants are derived from the nature of “mass-energy” itself. This includes: light speed, the maximum speed of energy in the universe, the constant and only speed light can travel in a perfect vacuum; the Planck constant, the minimum measurement unit of the universe, including the minimum jump between “energy states”; and gravitational force, the constant push and pull between two bodies with mass.
To summarize the above again (this time in more detail), mass-energy equivalence has many meanings, including:
FACT: A single massless particle doesn’t have mass, but it does have momentum.
TIP: Although it comes up in pop-culture a lot, time dilation (the fact that time is relative) is probably the most difficult concept to grasp as it relies on grasping nearly all other basic Einstein concepts first.
TIP: Bound = part of a system. Unbound = not part of the system. Think of it as being like a membrane around a cell, everything in the cell is “bound” within the cell wall. Learn more about systems here.
Einstein’s equation is very useful within the rule-set of our universe. The elementary particles (the building blocks of the universe) only have a few properties. All these properties can be described in terms of mass-energy and motion (and in some ways just motion).
Properties of elementary particles include: mass, charge, frequency, spin, etc. Those properties are what allow particles to exchange one of four forces: gravitational, electromagnetic, strong nuclear, and weak nuclear. Those forces are the only forces in the universe, so this is important.
When elementary particles bind in systems by exchanging forces, kinetic energy (from charge and motion) is “bound” in the system as “mass” (potential energy). In other words, the effects of all the interactions (forces) of elementary particles, and the systems they form can be measured in terms of mass-energy (E=m…) and motion (E…c2, and m if you count the motion inside the system).
Other ways to calculate the energy content of a system include:
TIP: To think of it simply, when energy travels at light speed it’s pure energy (energy), when it does anything else, like say bounce off a Higgs Field, it’s potential energy (mass). Light speed is the speed of energy, the Planck length is the smallest distance energy quantizes to, and gravity is the constant affect of mass on larger scales. We can use Einstein’s equation, these constants, and a few relativity related equations (like Lorentz and Maxwell) to understand a large portion of the nature of the universe.
In loose words (the thought experiment kind, and not cold hard fact kind) we can describe this all (everything except empty space, gravity, nuclear force, although in some ways including these things) as motion.
Something like: total possible motion in a system = potential motion times the max speed of motion in the physical universe squared.
The concept being that all particles are at their core are massless energy particles (what we call photons and gluons in the standard model), and mass, charge, spin (angular momentum), linear momentum, frequency, velocity, acceleration, and all other fundamental properties of these particles and their systems can be described in terms of motion. Motion doesn’t exactly describe “everything”, but like Feynman implies in the lecture series quoted at the type of the page, it comes pretty darn close. Physics is the basis for chemistry and there are only four fundamental forces, considering special and general relativity, the concept of “everything being motion” has just a little more explanation cooked in than simply saying “everything is mass-energy” (although the statements are pretty similar).
Einstein’s mass-energy equivalence equation does not say mass and energy are the exact same thing or that they are “two sides of the same coin are one coin”, or that things are literally “converted” to become each other in real life. Mass-energy cannot be created or destroyed, and the term conversion implies creating or destroying. Rather mass and energy can only be conserved as forms of mass, energy, and motion in interactions. There is nothing “to convert.” Mass-energy is always mass-energy acting as either mass or energy.
Learn more about the laws of conservation.
Above we brushed over the implications of the fact that the universe can be described in terms of mass-energy and motion. Below, we will discuss exactly how motions affect things in a little more detail, specifically we will now be considering relativistic mass and how that is different from rest-mass.
In more technical terms, E=mc2 is a shorthand version of a few different mass-energy equivalence equations that can calculate mass-energy equivalence for bodies at rest and in motion. So to be clear, this is a shorthand equation, but it is usable. It’s a little like saying “π” instead of saying explaining the math behind finding “the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.”
For systems at rest (and in motion) E=mc2 means: the total energy (E) in a physical system is equal to its mass (m) times the speed of light squared (c2).
Understanding the difference between rest and motion is big understatement of the tricky part of the equation, so per Einstein’s request, let’s cover a system in “relative rest to an observer” first because “the laws of physics are the same in all inertial reference frames.”
For systems at rest the above terms can be described as a Physical system = any object in the universe consisting of one or more particles, Mass = the intrinsic mass of a system at rest (rest-mass), Energy = the total energy of a system at rest (rest-energy), and Speed of Light = Speed of light in a “vacuum” (the speed at which massless energy particles like photons travel when unimpeded by other particle fields, and the “speed” that “cause and effect relationships” actually happen at in the universe).
In other words, measured from a resting frame, we can calculate the total mass-energy of a body and show energy is equal in value to mass (times the speed of light squared). Or simply, we can use the equation to find the mass-energy of a system at rest, which can be thought of as its “true” mass-energy.
The true mass-energy of a “bound” system at rest never changes, but in real life mass changes due to speed and gravity. We call this relativistic mass-energy. So we have to address that.
TIP: If you are confused, forget about systems in motion for now and focus on the content above, especially the video. Alternatively you can learn about understanding the different types of mass here.
As a system’s speed increases, exponentially more energy is needed to accelerate the rest-mass of system. We know this from Newton’s F=ma (force equals mass times acceleration).
If we want to factor in momentum (particularly the acceleration of a system with rest-mass), we need to call our mass “relativistic mass” and our energy “relativistic energy.” In mathematical terms we have Kinetic Energy acting as mass = relativistic Mass x c2 – intrinsic Mass x c2. All we are doing is subtracting the “real mass” from the “energy acting as mass”.
In other words, when we increase speed due to acceleration, we count the extra energy needed to accelerate the object as relativistic mass (which is just kinetic energy acting as mass. This only becomes apparent at very high speeds, but it has very real effects on physics).
Since this relativistic-mass isn’t “bound” by the system, it’s not part of the systems “true” rest-mass.
Example: If I make a snowball, and roll the snowball down the hill, the extra snow isn’t part of the original snowball. In the analogy, the extra snow is relativistic mass, and the original snowball is rest mass. We see the extra snow creates more mass, but this is really just extra kinetic energy from acceleration acting as mass.
Simply put, relativistic mass-energy increases with speed and gravity, but rest-mass never does (for this reason rest-mass is also called invariant mass). Both types of mass work with E=mc2, but extra math is needed depending on the type of equation.
The True Nature of Matter and Mass | Space Time | PBS Digital Studios. This video does an amazing job of explaining mass-energy and how it relates to matter in my opinion.To summarize this all up.
Quantum particles have properties of mass (potential energy) and energy (kinetic energy). When they bind in systems, kinetic and potential energy are used for binding. The “bound” system now has a greater mass (potential energy and bound kinetic energy). If we measure that system at rest, we get rest-mass. If we measure that system in motion, we get “relativistic” mass which counts the additional kinetic energy in the system used for the acceleration of the mass. If we factor out momentum, we are left with just rest-mass. Thinking about this, it shows that the rest-mass of the system’s parts is less than the rest-mass of the system as a whole. This is because when particles interact the energy “binding” them is potential energy, which curves spacetime, and can the affects of this can be measured as mass. Technically a system of two massless particles interacting creates a system with “rest-mass”, despite each part being massless.
That is just the surface of the doors that Einstein’s equation opens up. Check out the links below to take it to the next level.
Spacetime? In simple terms, a theoretical construct that puts time on a Y-axis and the three dimensions of space on an X-axis. Now imagine spacetime is a blanket and mass-energy is a bowling ball. Now imagine massless-light is shot across the surface of the blanket, notice how it would bend. Mass-energy curves spacetime, that creates the effect of gravity, and affects how massless particles like light travel. Learn more about gravity.
If I still have your attention, now is a great time to learn about the different types of mass, how systems of massless particles can be massless, the elementary particles, the forces, and time dilation and length contraction. All of these concepts are directly connected to mass-energy. Remember mass-energy is a core property of all physical systems, so there is plenty to learn about. You can also simply check out relativity in general (the study of how things like motion, time, and space are relative).
One would think explaining the concept that [almost] everything in the physical universe is mass-energy would be simple. But even with the standard model and centuries of Newton’s and Einstein’s paving the way a simple and accurate explanation remains elusive.
If you have any input on the above, please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
People have tried to disprove Einstein since 1905. So far, his theories and equations have worked 100% of the time. Most of the technology we use from GPS, to Lasers, to our TV’s run on Einstein’s theories.
The simple equation and concept of mass-energy equivalence is backed up by a ton of complex equations that require a background in physics to really dig into. This isn’t to say they are out of anyone’s reach, it is to say I won’t be explaining Maxwell’s full equations in the annotations of this page.
Technically, Einstein’s theories could break down in the quantum world, or in a black hole, but likely it will be like Newtonian physics where it is simply reconciled with a little math. Theories (models) that work as often as this are rarely completely “wrong”.
In conclusion we can simply say that all experimental evidence thus far has shown Einstein’s equations and theories to be true (with little to no tweaking). All of this to say, E really does equal mc squared, and while that says a lot about our universe, it isn’t exactly a theory of everything.
Thomas DeMichele is the content creator behind ObamaCareFacts.com, FactMyth.com, CryptocurrencyFacts.com, and other DogMediaSolutions.com and Massive Dog properties. He also contributes to MakerDAO and other cryptocurrency-based projects. Tom's focus in all...
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Dr. Juan Suarez Did not vote.
With what your incorrect article is prosping the important essential difference between a Lorent scalar ( mass) and a Lorentz vector is LOST and with it the four dimensional symmetry of this theory. YOu are simply deeply wrong, Thomas. Your article is a great example of the misinformation online. Please correct it.
Thomas DeMicheleThe Author Did not vote.
I did my best to explain the difference between bodies in rest and in motion (rest energy vs. kinetic energy as it relates to mass equivalence; and how m v p e and c all relate). You are right that I am not a professional physicist. Perhaps this is what stops me from fully correcting my work in the style that you wish me too, but thank you for your comment and hopefully, others will find it useful.
Let’s remember though, as it says on the page, Einstien suggests explaining the wrong way and then the right way himself. Where it is explained as e=mc2 and then the difference between rest (just rest energy and rest mass) and motion (add in speed and momentum) is explained. That is what I am doing from the frame I am able to.
Dr. Juan Suarez Did not vote.
Keep in mind you are not a professinal physcist , Thomas. I am in contact wirh Edward Witten and Sean Carroll . The INternet is largely a dumpster of misinformation- even those videos you post are very incorrect, especially the crimson colored Einstein one with Gabe Perez Giz. He is misinformed and a lower level physicist Witten is tops in the field. Einstein disovered REST- energy. The total energy is NOT by any means equal to mass at all. Mass and energy are DIFFERENT and that os essential part of relativity theory,. Mass is a Lorentz scalar, energy the forth time component of the energy momentum VECTOR. Different!
Snakebait Supports this as a Fact.
The formula should be: m= E/c^2
m (mass): 1 kg (any type of mater)
c^2: 9e^16 (the mass to energy ratio)
E (Energy): 9e^16 J (joules)
c (celeritas, Lat: “swift”) light velocity (vacuum):
299,792,458 meters per second (or: 3 e^8 mps)
c^2: 89,875,517,873,681,764 (or: 9e^16)
There are
597, 040, 768, 134, 859, 512, 149, 419, 727
neutrons (n) per kilogram (kg):
(or 6 e^26 N/kg )
The energy (in joules: J) per neutron (n):
0.000 000 000 150 534 976 287 215 097 741 J
(or 1.5 e^-10 J/n)
There are
597, 863, 740, 655, 678, 359, 744, 066, 141
protons (p) per kilogram (kg):
(or 6 e^26 p/kg )
The energy, in joules (J) per proton (p):
0.000 000 000 150 327 761 598 512 570 525 J
(or 1.5 e^-10 J/p)
In either case (neutrons or protons):
( 6 e^26 N/kg) x ( 1.5 e^-10 J/N) = ( 9 e^16 J)
The instant and total release of energy from
all the nucleons (neutrons and/ or protons)
contained in 1 kg of mass equals
9 e^16 J (21.5 Megatons)
Janet Velasquez Did not vote.
There does NOT exist a relationship between mass and energy. What exists is a relationship between energy, mass and momentum.
Mass and energy are NOT, N-O-T- equivalent or equal. There does NOT exist a COMPLETE ( key word!) equivalence. Your article is very incorrect. REST-energy and mass are proportional mathematically.NOT total energy ONLY THE REST- energy !!!!!! Fix your article!
Einstein’s great work was the invention of the REST- energy!
Mass is NOT converted into energy either. Energy and mass are NOT stuff or things, they are abstract math, abstract characteristics or qualities. Radiation, while not matter, is NOT energy, it is stuff. Matter and energy are NOT converted into one another either. Matter is STUFF. Energy is FICTITIOUS, a useful fictitious bookkeeping we humans invented. .
That is all Einstein meant in Eo=mc2 , which is the REAL equation for objects at rest, the way he, himself, wrote it when he was careful to “dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s”. .
There are NO laws in physics.Our observations are NOT the laws , as Feynman stressed! So-called laws are fallible human models. Physicists do NOT have access to how nature REALLY is OR if the universe actually has real laws or principles. We have no way of telling. Stop overstating and over glorifying science. Your info is from unreliable Wikipedia and YouTubers.
The Internet is not a treasure, ti is a DUMPSTER of misinformation. This is directly from physicists I talk to including the late Lev Okun, Sean Carroll and Dr. Starobinsky……
Thomas DeMicheleThe Author Did not vote.
I’m sorry, but if you take the time to read the article you will very clearly see that I discuss momentum in length and explain that it is the key to understanding the mass energy equivalence equation.
So while I appreciate your gusto, your criticism is somewhat misplaced.
Consider, I didn’t start with momentum, but Einstein himself even said that those teaching his equation shouldn’t start with momentum [paraphrasing; you can look up that quote, he said not to start with mass in motion AKA mass with energy added due to momentum]
On a more theoretical level I could make the same sort of arguments, although I would argue that matter and energy are bogus, and really the ONLY thing happening is momentum. At the end of the day even a particle is really just measured in effects of momentum (gravity… an effect of mass, mass an effect of energy, energy an effect of momentum, the fact that speed adds to the mass of a system… as we now know after reading the article, the fact that “everything” in a particle and a system is flying around at absurd speeds, the fact that light is visible radiation and has no mass, fact that particles can release massless energy and lose mass, etc… not proving anything, just laying down some metaphysical points to discuss).
So, when it comes to explaining the basics, I say the equation says mass and energy are equivalent, but momentum. When it comes to the philosophy part, we can debate to what degree we consider mass, energy, and momentum to be of substance.
NOTE: Also, the internet is a treasure. The search algorithms get better and better at floating useful content to the top of searches… and anyone earnestly looking for information is in many cases going to happen upon it. The idea that the internet doesn’t have good information is, in my opinion, outdated. Case and point, what you say I didn’t cover on this page I did, and to the degree that this comment was insightful, it is now easily found on this page. 😉
NOTE2: You commented a little more on this on a page on politics. Would be happy to have you add to this discussion, but I can’t post your comments there.
Dr. Juan Suarez Did not vote.
Mass and energy are not the same. Mass and REST-energy are the same. Sean Carroll stresses this.It is very important to stress REST- energy. Einstein was only claiming the rest-energy is equivalnet to mass- nothing more. Corrct notaion is E0=mc2 …E subzero=mc2 Einstein got sloppy but when he dotted his i’s he would write E0 to denote REST- energy. Anything else you hear is wrong. Many myths surropund this Pp-Sci “E=mc2” incorrect notation. Google Demystifying Mass with Sean Carroll. It is essential to stress that REST- ener
gy is the OJNLY energy equal to mass, NOT ttoal.
real American Did not vote.
Since nothing can travel faster than the “speed of light” why do you need to square it? Nothing here makes the least bit of sense
Thomas DeMicheleThe Author Did not vote.
In simple terms, from what I understand, all the equation says is that the energy content of a body is equal to its mass times the constant speed of light squared.
That works because energy content is related to two factors, light speed (the speed of energy) and the mass of a body (essentially a measure of potential and kinetic energy).
This equation (which is slightly different for bodies in rest and in motion as noted) gives the energy content of a body (a thing with energy), it does not output the speed at which the thing travels.
Energy content is not the same as the speed at which a thing travels (although traveling at a speed does affect the energy content of a body; hence the in motion part).
That said, I believe the overly simple answer to “why do things get squared in physics” is because that is how those equations work and the exact explanation beyond that is full of terms you wouldn’t understand without specializing in math and physics.
So in sum, the logic part: energy content is not speed at which a thing travels. And, “why square it”: that is a math-y physics-y answer that gets at least beyond my knowledge… but I think honestly it goes into the territory of theory and opinion.
NOTE: I took the time to study this equation, but I’m not a master of physics. My understanding of the why is limited to my research.
John Wellington Did not vote.
Mass and energy are NOT the same. The ONLY energy being equated to mass is REST-eneegy ONLY.. Eo-mc2 is the correct equation as Einy wrote it. It only is applicable to objects sitting still. For objects in motion, energy is always GREATER than mc2.
Mass is invariant, it is a Poincare scalar and always the same under different reference systems.
Energy is the fourth time component of the energy-momentum 4 vector and DIFFERENT under different reference systems.
They are NOT the same. Einstein;’s discovery was REST- energy. Okun was very clear on this , as were his elite level colleages. My information is supported by Sean Carroll, Lev Okun and many other top Russian nusclear physicists- AND Einy HIMSELF who stated mass is INVARIANT- the view all LHC physcists adopt.
Thanh G Nguyen Did not vote.
The equation is half right and half wrong.
It is right when E is rest energy and m is rest mass.
It is wrong when E is total energy and m is relativistic mass.
In other words, the equation is correct if and only if velocity equals zero.
Thomas DeMicheleThe Author Did not vote.
We agree (based on our research), and we think the article makes this clear.
That is, the equation is correct in a state of rest.
But in a state of motion one needs to consider the relation of motion.
This is why the term relativistic mass is used, it adds in the factor of motion (momentum; P).
That motion acts as mass. So the relation between energy and mass (E=mc2) is short hand for a fuller equation which considers motion for systems of more than one particle in states of motion.
Michael Soto Did not vote.
Lev Okun’s articles about this topic debunk Gabe Giz Perez. More YouTube nonsense. Mass and energy are not at all the same thing, as all particle physicists understand.
Thomas DeMicheleThe Author Did not vote.
Good point, I didn’t realize it said this in the video (i’ll have to confirm).
On our page we don’t say “mass and energy are the same thing” (if they were then we wouldn’t need the Higgs field to explain how massless particles become massive for instance). We actually have a section that says “they aren’t the same thing”. They are two fundamental properties of systems and particles (not two sides of the same coin). From what I understand mass is a measure of potential energy mathematically, and equivalent physically in regards to energy content. Maybe like comparing heat and electricity or heat and motion, all measures of energy, but not really “the same thing”.
I’ll look up Lev Okun and see if I can glean any missing pieces. Always happy for more insight and clarity into subjects, especially when the reader has expertise and the subject is complex. Thanks!
Jane Santos Did not vote.
Mike is correct! I agree with him and verify his statements which are supported by Lev Okun’s books
Gabe Perez goofed big time in the video. He even wrote the equation in the incorrect pop-science version…..
Einstein changed his view very significantly since his first papers. Poor choice…. Read what Einstein said post 1948. Einstein’s great discovery was the “rest energy.” Particle physicists today understand Eo=mc2 better than Einstein himself did.
In Eo=moc2 or Eo=mc2, (objects at rest, that subzero notation is essential and the way Einstein himself wrote it) the ONLY energy being put equal to mass times the velocity of light squared is the “rest-energy”. For objects in motion, energy is always greater than mc2. As Lev Okun stressed : There does N-O-T exist a *complete *equivalence between mass and energy.
I hope Gabe Perez-Giz rescinds his video. But I inow he will not due to his arrogance and ego.
Thomas DeMicheleThe Author Did not vote.
Very interesting, I’ve certainly noted this in the article already (where I describe factoring motion in for the Energy–momentum relation). As for specifics on how this should all be phrased and to ensure i’m not missing something, I will have to look into it and check it against a few physicists who actively work in the field.
Maybe we could even get Gabe’s thoughts on it? You never know?
To clarify, you are all saying essentially what this article is, correct?: http://www.science20.com/hammock_physicist/whats_wrong_emc2
That “there is a mass-energy-momentum relation” and not “a direct mass-energy – period relation”? Not just that they are essentially describing the same thing, but that one is more detailed and accurate to the extent that the other isn’t?
That, without tons more research, doesn’t seem impossible off the bat. If momentum adds relativistic mass and the speed of energy is light speed, why wouldn’t momentum be a necessary key?
For me it almost seems like motion is the only thing actually happening in the universe. If the core of so much can be broken down to photons, and the only properties photons have are related to motion (very loosely speaking), why wouldn’t motion be at the heart of this?
But that is just musing, wouldn’t want to speak more on it without doing the additional research.
In the article I assume that, loosely speaking, E=mc^2 and E^2 = (pc)^2 + (m_0c^2)^2\ and Eo=mc2 are all ways of saying the same basic thing, only that one factors in motion and one speaks of systems at rest.
I’ll look to clarify this all for the article.
For now, to be clear, what we are saying is that mass and energy are equivalent, but since in motion energy acts as mass when an object increases its speed, momentum is an implicit factor.
Thanks for the insight.