What Does E=MC Squared Stand For?

E=mc squared is the most famous formula in physics. It is often referred to as the Theory of Relativity or Mass Energy Equivalence. Most people know that Albert Einstein developed it, but few have any idea what it means. Essentially, Einstein came up with a relationship between matter and energy. His genius was realizing that matter can be turned into energy and energy into matter.

Identification

The "E" in the formula stands for energy. The "m" represents mass. The "c" is the speed of light. When the speed of light is multiplied by itself (squared) then multiplied by the mass, the result is a very large number. It shows that the energy stored in even a small amount of mass is enormous.

Function

One way for the energy in mass to be released is for the atoms that make up that mass to fuse together. This happens sometimes in nature. For example, within a star, two atoms of hydrogen can be propelled together at such great speed that the single protons in their nuclei fuse together to form a helium atom with two protons. One helium atom has less mass than two hydrogen atoms. About 7% of the mass is turned into energy. This can be calculated with the formula E=mc squared. The process is called nuclear fusion. We see it in man made devices like supercolliders, lasers and nuclear bombs.

Features

Another way for the energy in mass to be released is for atoms within that mass to come apart. This also occurs naturally in nature. For example, uranium is radioactive element. That means it is falling apart. There are 92 protons in its nucleus. All of them are positively charged and trying to get away from each other. This is similar to two magnets with the same polarity repelling each other. When uranium atoms lose protons they become other elements. The new elements have less mass. The lost mass is turned into energy. This is why radioactive elements release heat and light. This is called nuclear fission. The energy created can also be calculated with the formula E=mc squared.

Time Frame

The formula E=mc squared also helps us understand time and space. Since the speed of light is a constant, when one part of the formula is altered, another part must compensate. The faster an object moves, the shorter and more massive it becomes. Time also slows down for the object. This is why things that have mass, like human beings, cannot travel faster than the speed of light. At the speed of light, mass becomes infinite. Anything that emits light, like a flashlight, gets slightly lighter as it produces light. This is because of the release of energy through light. Humans can not sense these changes since they are very small to our perspective.

History

Einstein's theory revolutionized the way human beings viewed the universe. It proved the long held beliefs of conservation of mass and conservation of energy wrong. Einstein proved that mass can be turned into energy and energy can become mass. We now understand more about why the stars shine, the nature of black holes and the creation of the universe thanks to E=mc squared. The dark side of the formula is its use developing weapons of mass destruction. Nuclear fission is used in an atomic bomb while nuclear fusion is used in a nuclear bomb. Both could not have been invented without Einstein's equation. In fact, it was Einstein himself who urged the development of the first atomic bomb before America's enemies could.