Question

What is the significance of Einstein's famous equation E = mc 2 ?

Mass can be destroyed.
Energy can be destroyed.
Mass and energy can convert to one another.
Energy is not related to mass.

Answer 1

The correct answer is: Mass and energy can convert to one another.

This equation, proposed by Albert Einstein in his theory of special relativity, states that mass (m) and energy (E) are intimately related. It states that the energy (E) of an object is equal to its mass (m) multiplied by the speed of light (c) squared.

This equation is significant because it revolutionized our understanding of the fundamental relationship between mass and energy. It showed that mass and energy are interchangeable and can be converted into one another. This concept is commonly known as mass-energy equivalence.

The equation has broad implications in fields such as nuclear physics and astrophysics, where it is used to understand and calculate the amount of energy released during nuclear reactions and in the formation of stars. It also led to the development of nuclear power and the atomic bomb. Furthermore, it serves as a foundation for our understanding of the behavior of particles in particle accelerators and has had a profound impact on our understanding of the fundamental laws of physics.