Uncle Thi
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- TL;DR Summary
- This post raises a question about the apparent contradiction between the equation E = mc^2 and the fact that photons, which have zero rest mass, still carry energy described by E = hf. It seeks clarification on whether E = mc^2 only applies to particles with rest mass, or if there is a broader framework that includes massless particles like photons.
According to E = mc², energy seems to depend on rest mass.
But photons have zero rest mass (m₀ = 0), and still carry energy, expressed as E = hf.
How should this be understood?
Does E = mc² only apply to particles with rest mass?
Is there a more general form that includes massless particles like photons?
Looking for clarity on how this works.
But photons have zero rest mass (m₀ = 0), and still carry energy, expressed as E = hf.
How should this be understood?
Does E = mc² only apply to particles with rest mass?
Is there a more general form that includes massless particles like photons?
Looking for clarity on how this works.