589
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 15:
Line 15: + + + + + +
Added a section on E=mc squared.
Robert Massey of the Royal Astronomical Society said: 'From the most esoteric aspects of time dilation through to the beautiful and simple equation, E=mc², the vast bulk of Einstein's ideas about the universe are standing up to the test of time,'
Robert Massey of the Royal Astronomical Society said: 'From the most esoteric aspects of time dilation through to the beautiful and simple equation, E=mc², the vast bulk of Einstein's ideas about the universe are standing up to the test of time,'
===E=mc<sup>2</sup>===
Einstein’s famous formula E=mc<sup>2</sup> says that mass and energy can turn into each other. E stands for [[energy]], m is [[mass]], and c is the [[speed of light]]. So, if you increase the energy of a substance, for example by heating it, it gains a minute amount of mass. If you split an atom apart, as in a nuclear explosion, it loses a tiny amount of mass and you gain a huge amount of [[energy]].
This revealed a new source of power. Energy binds together the parts of an [[atom]], including the [[nucleus]]. The nucleus of an atom is tiny, but Einstein’s work showed that very little mass could release a huge amount of energy. When one nucleus splits apart, it splits other nuclei around it. This is called a [[chain reaction]].
===Cosmological Constant===
===Cosmological Constant===