Why c2 (speed of light squared)?

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The discussion centers on the reasoning behind the speed of light squared (c²) in Einstein's equation E=mc². Participants explain that the equation's structure requires c² to maintain dimensional consistency, linking energy (E) and mass (m) through a universal constant. The speed of light is emphasized as a fundamental constant in physics, essential for understanding energy-mass equivalence. Various derivations and interpretations are presented, highlighting the relationship between energy, mass, and the speed of light in the context of special relativity. Ultimately, the conversation reflects on the deeper implications of c² and its significance in physics.
  • #61
Vorde said:
In relativistic physics momentum isn't defined as ##p=mv## but rather as ##p= \gamma m v## where ##\gamma \equiv \frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - v^2/c^2}}##.

You are right ! Maybe i have to search some more about this derivation .
 
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  • #62
You can't do something like that because In E=mc^2 relation 'm' stands for the mass of light !

That's about as wrong as it gets in special relativity. E=mc^2 is actually the abbreviated form of the full equation which is E=mc^2+pc. The abbreviated version is used in cases that deal with energies that specifically EXCLUDE light photons, that is, rest mass. Situations dealing with light quanta will typically exclude the mc^2 term and be in the form E=pc.

And in this equation v=E/Mc , 'M' stands for the mass of the cylinder ! Even if you put 'c' in the place of 'v' it won't become E=mc^2

Of course it will, this is simple algebra.
 
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  • #63
DiracPool said:
Of course it will, this is simple algebra.

You actually mistook the whole derivation . v=E/Mc not E/mc ! 'M' and 'm' are different ... Go through the derivation once more . This derivation is not circular .
 
  • #64
The Lagrangian L = -mc^{2}\sqrt{1 - \frac{v^{2}}{c^{2}}}, p = \frac{\partial L}{\partial v} = \frac{mv}{\sqrt{1 - \frac{v^{2}}{c^{2}}}}, E = p\cdot v - L = \frac{mv^{2}}{{\sqrt{1 - \frac{v^{2}}{c^{2}}}}} + mc^{2}\sqrt{1 - \frac{v^{2}}{c^{2}}} = \frac{mc^{2}}{{\sqrt{1 - \frac{v^{2}}{c^{2}}}}} so in the rest frame we have that E = mc^{2}. The speed of light squared quantity is just a unit conversion. If you work in natural units then you won't even see it explicitly.
 
  • #65
WannabeNewton said:
The Lagrangian L = -mc^{2}\sqrt{1 - \frac{v^{2}}{c^{2}}}, p = \frac{\partial L}{\partial v} = \frac{mv}{\sqrt{1 - \frac{v^{2}}{c^{2}}}}, E = p\cdot v - L = \frac{mv^{2}}{{\sqrt{1 - \frac{v^{2}}{c^{2}}}}} + mc^{2}\sqrt{1 - \frac{v^{2}}{c^{2}}} = \frac{mc^{2}}{{\sqrt{1 - \frac{v^{2}}{c^{2}}}}} so in the rest frame we have that E = mc^{2}. The speed of light squared quantity is just a unit conversion. If you work in natural units then you won't even see it explicitly.

Agreed . But c^2 is not just an unit conversion . It is also known "the specific energy" .

And I don't know what is "ρ" in the equation . Could you explain?
 
  • #66
P is momentum: which is standard notation.
 
  • #67
Vorde said:
P is momentum: which is standard notation.

Sorry bro ! I mistook it as "rho(ρ)"
 

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