Why c2 (speed of light squared)?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the significance of the speed of light squared (c²) in Einstein's equation E=mc². Participants explain that the squaring of c is essential for dimensional consistency, as energy (E) is derived from mass (m) and velocity (v) squared, similar to the kinetic energy formula (1/2 mv²). They emphasize that c represents a universal constant, crucial for relating energy and mass, and that the equation's derivation involves concepts from special relativity, including relativistic mass and four-momentum. The conversation also touches on the philosophical implications of understanding light and its constant speed.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Einstein's theory of relativity
  • Familiarity with the concepts of energy, mass, and momentum
  • Basic knowledge of dimensional analysis in physics
  • Awareness of the kinetic energy formula (1/2 mv²)
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  • Study the derivation of E=mc² in the context of special relativity
  • Explore the concept of relativistic mass and its implications
  • Learn about four-momentum and its role in physics
  • Investigate the philosophical implications of the speed of light as a universal constant
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Students of physics, educators explaining relativity, and anyone interested in the foundational concepts of energy and mass in modern 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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