Can mere mortals understand E=mc2?

David Bodanis introduces E=mc2 explaining what inspired him to write it:

"Everyone knows that E=mc2 is really important, but they usually don't know what it means. That's frustrating, because the equation is so short that you'd think it would be understandable. [...]

"There are plenty of books that try to explain it, but who can honestly say they understand them? To most readers they contain just a mass of odd diagrams ‚ those little trains or rocketships or flashlights that are utterly mystifying. Even first-hand instruction doesn't always help, as Chaim Weizmann commented when he took a long Atlantic crossing with Einstein in 1921: 'Einstein explained his theory to me every day,' Weizmann said, 'and on my arrival I was fully convinced that he understood it.'

"The overall surveys of relativity fail not because they're poorly written, but because they take on too much. Instead of writing yet another account of all of relativity [...] I could simply write about E=mc2. That's possible, for it's just one part of Einstein's wider work. To a large extent, it stands on its own."

Indeed it does. From the "Toronto Globe and Mail," November 4, 2000:

"...Bodanis's account is exhilarating. One thinks of Browning's description of youth: 'Oh the wild joys of living, the leaping from rock up to rock.' As a minor participant, I have experienced the slipperiness of those rocks. This book filled me, once again, with delight at what numbers, together with a free-ranging intellect, can achieve. E=mc2 is to be treasured because, in its small compass, it reveals so much of what makes science tick..."

How can we apply what makes science tick to what makes everything else tick? Bodanis combines a laser-like focus and a wide-view lens to make e=mc2 not only understandable, but even personal. What can we learn by focusing on the many small things that comprise every great thing? Where do you find your "wild joys of living"? Are there lessons here? There's certainly a great book and a fascinating mind.

Comments

[amy]

does any1 actually know what E=mc2 means?

[dan]

e=mc2 means energy (ie pure energy) is equal to mass. if a particle could be converted into energy, its a hell of a lot. i remember reading that a cup of water has more thatn enough energy to boil all of the oceans of the world. it also implies that nothing can travel at or above the speed of light, because it would take pure energy to accelerate a particle that far, because as an particle (or object) gets faster its mass increases. this isnt a very good explanation i know, but im a bit pissed (drunk if your american) and need to go to bed. anyways, read up stephen hawking and einstien if you can be bothered.

[dan]

e=mc2 means energy (ie pure energy) is equal to mass. if a particle could be converted into energy, its a hell of a lot. i remember reading that a cup of water has more thatn enough energy to boil all of the oceans of the world. it also implies that nothing can travel at or above the speed of light, because it would take pure energy to accelerate a particle that far, because as an particle (or object) gets faster its mass increases. this isnt a very good explanation i know, but im a bit pissed (drunk if your american) and need to go to bed. anyways, read up stephen hawking and einstien if you can be bothered.

[Brody]

E=Mc2 means that the energy created is the mass of an object times the velocity of light squared. say a rocket ship is going at the speed of light, and you have extra boost to make the ship go faster. if that boost is used, then energy will be created equivilent to that of its mass times the velocity of light. Eistein's theory was that nothing could surpass the speed of light. E=Mc2 was recently proven wrong.

[brittney]

I still dont get the E=mc2. it makes no sense. Iknow that we all are a part of it but i dont gethow it is supposedto be explained.

[Jim bobby joe]

this is cool i'm so intelegent now after reading that stuff. i love you, will you marry me?

[govokinolij]

Hello

Looks good! Very useful, good stuff. Good resources here. Thanks much!

Bye

[kj]

but how is E=mc2 derived from E= wavelength X frequency and c=wavelength X frequency?