Is velocity a more accurate measure of energy in Einstein's equation?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the interpretation of velocity in Einstein's equation for energy, specifically E=mc². The participant argues that while velocity is a vector quantity, energy should be represented as a scalar quantity, suggesting that using speed (a scalar) instead of velocity (a vector) is more appropriate. The mathematical representation of velocity squared as a dot product reinforces the argument that energy does not have direction, thus supporting the scalar nature of energy in this context.

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  • Understanding of Einstein's theory of relativity
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  • Basic knowledge of mathematical operations, particularly dot products
  • Concept of energy-mass equivalence (E=mc²)
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philosophking
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This is an interesting point that I just thought of while listening to one of Einstein's own lectures on his theory of relativity. In it he said that energy is equal to mass times the velocity of light squared.

But doesn't velocity have direction? And wouldn't this imply energy has direction? Obviously it doesn't. Speed, on the other had, is a scalar, so I would think it would be mass times the speed of light squared.

What's your opinion?
 
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Velocity of light squared would be
[tex] \vec{v}^2 = \vec{v} \cdot \vec{v}[/tex]
The dot product makes the final result a scalar rather then a vector
 

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