Today in History: EMC2 Introduced

[Callalily]

E=MC2 Introduced

September 27, 1905

The year 1905 was a big one for a young physicist named Albert Einstein. On September 27, 1905, Einstein published a paper positing that energy and mass were actually the same thing in different states, a principle he explained with the equation E=MC2. This simple mathematical expression completely upended physics, becoming the most well-known equation in human history. Simply put, E=MC2 states that energy is equal to mass times the speed of light squared. The equation formed the bedrock of the nuclear age, explained the inner workings of stars, and supported the biggest theory of them all: the Big Bang.

The famous equation came at the end of a year of discovery later known as Einstein’s “annus mirabilis,” or “miraculous year.” In March of 1905, the 26-year-old physicist published a paper theorizing that light was a particle. A second paper, that May, proved the physical existence of atoms, and a third paper a month later introduced a mind-bending idea known as special relativity. Some 20 years later, Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity turned him into a worldwide celebrity. But E=MC2 changed the perception of our existence, and proved that our universe was still full of mysteries.

[abqtommy]

1. Albert was certainly a pretty smart guy. But I learned in school that visible light

shows the characteristics of both waves and particles. In my life I've actually gotten
more practical use out of pi and its formulas for finding areas of circles, but that's
just me. Seems like the more we learn the less we know!

[lastlib]

2. They lost me at Lorentz transformations, and that was probly a good thing....

I may not be the best person to play with subatomic particles.....

[lastlib]

3. WTG, Al! You smartie, you!