e = mc2

ET CETERA = MATHEMATICS * COMPUTERS ^ 2

I have decided to continue blogging by consolidating all contents under one blog, Knight In World or KIW. Despite some blogging pundits might say that a blog should be about one subject only and that its frequency should be three times a week, I have opted for their latter wisdom to keep on blogging.

KIW contents are divided into Et Cetera, Mathematics, and Computers articles. Each of their article are published once a week, between Monday to Sunday, therefore, three articles per week.

• Et Cetera articles are about other subjects like History, Art, Science, etc., etc., etc.
• Mathematics articles are about kindergarten math all the way up to doctorate math.
• Computers articles are about Computer Science, including its technologies and products like programming and Microsoft Word, respectively.

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Et Cetera I: Physics - Theory of Special Relativity Equation e = mc²

The theory of special relativity was first introduced by Prof. Einstein before general relativity.¹ Einstein's famous equation, e = mc², came from his work in special relativity. In it, he posited that a particle with mass, for example, humans, cannot ever reach the speed of light because as his or her speed increases, so does his or her mass.

Take for example a coal train.² A train can go faster if it isn't heavy. But for the train to go faster, you need to put more coal into it. But where do you put the coal? You put in the train! Therefore, the train becomes heavier when you want it to go faster or go anywhere at all.

Einstein's famous equation also states that a tiny mass can be converted into a lot of energy, atomic energy, that is. Why? Because the mass is multiplied with square of c, the speed of light. And the speed of light is approximately 299,792,458 meters/second.

For example, a 5 year old child can have as much energy as an adult as calculated below:

40 pounds x 299,792,458 (meters/second) ≈ 10 billion energies.

140 pounds x 299,792,458 (meters/second) ≈ 40 billion energies.

Not much difference. Still billions of energies.

It's all relative!☺

John Sindayen

References:
¹http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_relativity
²http://www.tinplatetimes.com/Tinplate%20History/HertzBoucher/hb.htm
http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=178925
http://blogs.britannica.com/2010/09/e-mc2-the-unforgettable-equation-of-einsteins-miracle-year-picture-essay-of-the-day/