::::Actually the meaning of the equation is very clear: the total energy contained in matter is its mass multiplied by the speed of light in a vaccum squared. Experiment after experiment, and nuclear reactor after nuclear reactor, has clearly demonstrated that the total energy released by a reaction is the lost mass multiplied by c<sup>2</sup>. Therefore whether the theories of relativity are true or not, E=mc<sup>2</sup> is true. Equally, even if classical Newtonian mechanics was false, the kinetic energy of a moving mass would still be accurately described by E<sub>k</sub>=1/2mv<sup>2</sup>. --[[User:SamCoulter|SamCoulter]] 16:34, 28 March 2012 (EDT) | ::::Actually the meaning of the equation is very clear: the total energy contained in matter is its mass multiplied by the speed of light in a vaccum squared. Experiment after experiment, and nuclear reactor after nuclear reactor, has clearly demonstrated that the total energy released by a reaction is the lost mass multiplied by c<sup>2</sup>. Therefore whether the theories of relativity are true or not, E=mc<sup>2</sup> is true. Equally, even if classical Newtonian mechanics was false, the kinetic energy of a moving mass would still be accurately described by E<sub>k</sub>=1/2mv<sup>2</sup>. --[[User:SamCoulter|SamCoulter]] 16:34, 28 March 2012 (EDT) |