Understanding Einstein's Famous Formula: E=mc2 and Its Significance Explained

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Einstein's formula E=mc^2 represents the energy equivalent of a particle's rest mass. The equation E^2 = p^2c^2 + m^2c^4 expands on this by incorporating momentum, making it applicable to particles with and without rest mass, such as photons. While E=mc^2 is sufficient for basic energy calculations, the more comprehensive formula is essential for understanding energy in relativistic contexts. The discussion highlights the importance of recognizing the limitations of E=mc^2 when dealing with high-energy physics. Understanding these equations is crucial for grasping fundamental concepts in modern physics.
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im pretty sure everyone's familiar with einsteins formula E=mc2 but what is this formula for? E2=m2c4
 
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It's the same equation but with both sides squared. It's like 7E=7mc2 -- not an independent piece of information.
 
Who might be thinking of the formula

E^2 = p^2c^2+m^2c^4

E=mc^2 is fine for determining the energy equivalent for the rest mass of a particle. The formula above is more general as it also includes the momentum of the particle and also works for the photon, which has no rest mass.
 

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