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Experimental verification
Broken clocks are correct twice a day, and some isolated experiments have asserted verification of E=mc² in certain carefully framed scenarios. But no experiment has demonstrated E=mc² with any reasonable degree of generality.
Broken clocks are correct twice a day, and some isolated experiments have asserted verification of E=mc² in certain carefully framed scenarios. But no experiment has demonstrated E=mc² with any reasonable degree of generality.
== Experimental verification ==
In addition to the purely logical or mathematical derivations of this formula, it has been verified in many experiments and with great accuracy. A mathematical derivation may be found in the references at the end of this article. These derivations show that the equation is true not only for nuclear reactions (for which the equation can be verified experimentally) but for ordinary chemical reactions as well. So, while the equation is not ''proven'' by ordinary chemical reactions, there are extremely strong logical reasons to believe it applies.
Nuclear fission and fusion experiments, such as the transformation of hydrogen to helium, clearly demonstrate the connection between mass and energy, with the square of the speed of light as the proportionality constant. For example, the mechanism of the Sun's energy creation is quite well understood in terms of the atomic weights of the isotopes involved.
Perhaps the most general and all-encompassing demonstration of this equation can be found in the examination of atomic weights and alpha particle energies in alpha-radioactive elements. See [[Quantitative Analysis of Alpha Decay]]. These experiments are not isolated or conducted in "carefully framed scenarios".
== Motivation for E=mc² ==
== Motivation for E=mc² ==
*[[Logical Flaws in E=mc²]]
*[[Logical Flaws in E=mc²]]
*[[Essay:Rebuttal to Logical Flaws in E=mc²]]
*[[Essay:Rebuttal to Logical Flaws in E=mc²]]
*[[Quantitative Analysis of Alpha Decay]]
== References ==
== References ==