Calculating e=mc^2 using foot-pounds of force

  • Thread starter Thread starter markteller
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    E=mc^2 Force
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on understanding the calculation of energy using the formula E=mc^2, specifically converting mass from kilograms to foot-pounds of force. The initial inquiry seeks a detailed explanation of the formula rather than relying on online calculators. To convert foot-pounds to Newton meters, the conversion factor of 1 Joule equaling 0.7375 foot-pounds is highlighted. Participants suggest that a tutorial on unit conversion could be beneficial for a deeper understanding. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of learning the conversion process rather than just obtaining results.
markteller
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
I have seen the on-line calculators, but would like to see how the formula works in full detail. I have seen the kilograms / meters / second example already.

The second part of the question is, what is the actual formula for converting foot pounds of force to Newton meters? Again, the actual details.

Thanks...
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
markteller said:
I have seen the on-line calculators, but would like to see how the formula works in full detail. I have seen the kilograms / meters / second example already.

The second part of the question is, what is the actual formula for converting foot pounds of force to Newton meters? Again, the actual details.

Thanks...

What sort of details are you looking for? For the first part, if you just want to calculate the rest energy, then you plug in ##m## and ##c## and get a number. Deriving the formula requires a bit more effort and can be found easily online. If you choose to meters, kilograms, seconds, then you get the energy in Joules. If you want it in ft*lbs then you use the conversion factor. According to the all powerful google, it is ##1\ J=0.7375ft\cdot lbs##.

If you wanted to, you could multiply the individual conversion factors to get there. That is, the conversion meters to feet and Newtons to lbs (of force) and get the same number.

Is this what you are asking about or did I misunderstand your question.
 
Thanks!

I am looking to convert 1 kilogram of mass into foot-pounds using e=mc^2 and without any unnecessary conversions. I want to see how the final number is arrived at.

I then want to see how foot-pounds are converted back to Newton meters, which are more typical for e=mc^2. Again, I know there are online calculators, but they don't educate the mind :)
 
In the spirit of teaching a man how to fish versus simply giving him a fish, it looks like you might benefit from a tutorial on "how to convert units". :smile: Here's the first one I found with a Google search on that phrase:

http://oakroadsystems.com/math/convert.htm

Then try to do the conversion yourself, show us the details and the result, and we can give you hints for correcting it if necessary.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
comparing a flat solar panel of area 2π r² and a hemisphere of the same area, the hemispherical solar panel would only occupy the area π r² of while the flat panel would occupy an entire 2π r² of land. wouldn't the hemispherical version have the same area of panel exposed to the sun, occupy less land space and can therefore increase the number of panels one land can have fitted? this would increase the power output proportionally as well. when I searched it up I wasn't satisfied with...
Back
Top