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===E=mc²===

===E=mc²===

Einstein’s famous formula E=mc² says that mass and energy can turn into each other. It was first published by H. Poincare. Einstein published an alternate derivation that was corrected and improved by M. Planck. 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. It was later realized that if you split an atom apart, as in a nuclear explosion, it loses a tiny amount of mass that is released in the form of [[energy]].   

Einstein’s famous formula ''E=mc''² says that mass and energy can turn into each other. It was first published by H. Poincare. Einstein published an alternate derivation that was corrected and improved by M. Planck. 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. It was later realized that if you split an atom apart, as in a nuclear explosion, it loses a tiny amount of mass that is released in the form of [[energy]].   

The connection E=mc² to nuclear energy is not as direct as pop culture sometimes represents. Einstein did not discover the huge energy available from nuclear reactions. Early workers in radioactivity, such as Ernest Rutherford, understood clearly that the natural radioactive decay of radium released quantities of energy that could not be explained by chemistry, and were much larger than those of chemical reactions. Neither did Einstein originate the key idea that made nuclear energy a possible weapon or a practical energy source. That was Leo Szilard, who acknowledged having been inspired by a 1914 [[H. G. Wells]] novel. Szilard discovered or invented the chain reaction (and patented it). However, other people recognized the relation between Einstein's interpretation of the E=mc² formula and chain reactions. Einstein explained that matter releasing energy is also losing mass.

The connection ''E=mc''² to nuclear energy is not as direct as pop culture sometimes represents. Einstein did not discover the huge energy available from nuclear reactions. Early workers in radioactivity, such as Ernest Rutherford, understood clearly that the natural radioactive decay of radium released quantities of energy that could not be explained by chemistry, and were much larger than those of chemical reactions. Neither did Einstein originate the key idea that made nuclear energy a possible weapon or a practical energy source. That was Leo Szilard, who acknowledged having been inspired by a 1914 [[H. G. Wells]] novel. Szilard discovered or invented the chain reaction (and patented it). However, other people recognized the relation between Einstein's interpretation of the ''E=mc''² formula and chain reactions. Einstein explained that matter releasing energy is also losing mass.

Energy binds together the parts of an [[atom]], including the [[nucleus]]. The nucleus of an atom is tiny, but 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]].

Energy binds together the parts of an [[atom]], including the [[nucleus]]. The nucleus of an atom is tiny, but 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]].

* Einstein did not invent the term "relativity theory", and did not even like the term. He called it the "so-called relativity theory" until 1911. Einstein did not banish the ether from Physics. In a 1920 lecture, he said, "More careful reflection teaches us, however, that the special theory of relativity does not compel us to deny æther."<ref>Quoted by Tulane astrophysicist Frank J. Tipler, http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1271310</ref>

* Einstein did not invent the term "relativity theory", and did not even like the term. He called it the "so-called relativity theory" until 1911. Einstein did not banish the ether from Physics. In a 1920 lecture, he said, "More careful reflection teaches us, however, that the special theory of relativity does not compel us to deny æther."<ref>Quoted by Tulane astrophysicist Frank J. Tipler, http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1271310</ref>

* Einstein was not the first to observe the equation E=mc² as a consequence of special relativity,<ref>H. Poincaré published it in 1900.  Hermann, Robert A. (January 1, 2004).  [http://web.archive.org/web/20081217082358/http://www.serve.com/herrmann/einpdf.pdf "E=mc² is not Einstein's discovery"].  Retrieved from December 17, 2008 archive at Internet Archive on January 24, 2015.</ref> or to foresee its application to [[nuclear binding]] energies or [[antimatter]] annihilation.  

* Einstein was not the first to observe the equation ''E=mc''² as a consequence of special relativity,<ref>H. Poincaré published it in 1900.  Hermann, Robert A. (January 1, 2004).  [http://web.archive.org/web/20081217082358/http://www.serve.com/herrmann/einpdf.pdf "E=mc² is not Einstein's discovery"].  Retrieved from December 17, 2008 archive at Internet Archive on January 24, 2015.</ref> or to foresee its application to [[nuclear binding]] energies or [[antimatter]] annihilation.  

* Einstein only published faulty and incomplete proofs.<ref>Einstein's Mistakes: The Human Failings of Genius, by Hans C. Ohanian, http://www.amazon.com/Einsteins-Mistakes-Human-Failings-Genius/dp/0393062937</ref><ref>http://discovermagazine.com/2008/sep/01-einstein.s-23-biggest-mistakes</ref>  

* Einstein only published faulty and incomplete proofs.<ref>Einstein's Mistakes: The Human Failings of Genius, by Hans C. Ohanian, http://www.amazon.com/Einsteins-Mistakes-Human-Failings-Genius/dp/0393062937</ref><ref>http://discovermagazine.com/2008/sep/01-einstein.s-23-biggest-mistakes</ref>  

* He did not foresee a nuclear [[chain reaction]] and had to be persuaded about the possibility of an [[atomic bomb]].  

* He did not foresee a nuclear [[chain reaction]] and had to be persuaded about the possibility of an [[atomic bomb]].  

* However, Einstein's interpretation of the E=mc² equation was fairly popular.  

* However, Einstein's interpretation of the ''E=mc''² equation was fairly popular.  

* According to Einstein, a body losing energy through heat or [[radiation]] was losing mass.<ref>Einstein, A., 1905, [http://www.physik.uni-augsburg.de/annalen/history/papers/1905_18_639-641.pdf Ist die Trägheit eines Körpers von dessen Energieinhalt abhängig?], Annalen der Physik, volume 18, pages 639–643. See also [http://www.fourmilab.ch/etexts/einstein/specrel/www English translation].</ref>

* According to Einstein, a body losing energy through heat or [[radiation]] was losing mass.<ref>Einstein, A., 1905, [http://www.physik.uni-augsburg.de/annalen/history/papers/1905_18_639-641.pdf Ist die Trägheit eines Körpers von dessen Energieinhalt abhängig?], Annalen der Physik, volume 18, pages 639–643. See also [http://www.fourmilab.ch/etexts/einstein/specrel/www English translation].</ref>