If e=mc^2, then (e/m)1/2= either +c or -c. What is the physical meaning of minus c?
Mar 1, 2010 #1 renerob 20 0 If e=mc^2, then (e/m)1/2= either +c or -c. What is the physical meaning of minus c?
Mar 2, 2010 #2 Matterwave Science Advisor Gold Member 3,967 327 e=mc^2 shouldn't be used to try to find "c". "c" is a defined constant of 299792458 m/s.
Mar 2, 2010 #3 dreiter 33 0 Mathematically -c exists, but this is a non-physical result, and is therefore ignored when using the e=mc2 equation. :)
Mathematically -c exists, but this is a non-physical result, and is therefore ignored when using the e=mc2 equation. :)
Mar 2, 2010 #4 Nabeshin Science Advisor 2,207 16 Matterwave said: 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: [tex]E=m(2)^2[/tex] [tex] 2=\pm \sqrt{\frac{E}{m}} [/tex] Hope this clarifies.
Matterwave said: 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: [tex]E=m(2)^2[/tex] [tex] 2=\pm \sqrt{\frac{E}{m}} [/tex] Hope this clarifies.