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If e=mc^2, then (e/m)1/2= either +c or -c. What is the physical meaning of minus c?
Matterwave
Mar2-10, 01:40 AM
e=mc^2 shouldn't be used to try to find "c". "c" is a defined constant of 299792458 m/s.
Mathematically -c exists, but this is a non-physical result, and is therefore ignored when using the e=mc2 equation. :)
Nabeshin
Mar2-10, 01:52 PM
e=mc^2 shouldn't be used to try to find "c". "c" is a defined constant of 299792458 m/s.
Precisely. Imagine the equation like this:
E=m(2)^2
2=\pm \sqrt{\frac{E}{m}}
Hope this clarifies.
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