Einstein's E = mc2 Explained

Albert Einstein, the smartest scientist, discovered and explained multiple mysteries in the field of physics. Everyone knows him, and everyone has seen his famous equation E = mc2. This equation is used mostly in creating nuclear bombs. However, very few people understand what the equation means. This short article will explain what this equation means and how it is used.

In 1905, Einstein came up with the theory of special relativity. Special relativity expressed “the fact that mass and energy are the same physical entity and can be changed into each other” (Perkowitz). In other words, energy and mass are two different forms of the same thing.

In the field of science, a scientist must first understand what each variable means and in what measurements. “E” means energy in terms of joule, “M” represents mass in terms of kilograms, and “C” stands for the speed of light (3x108 m/s). For example, if you use 1 gram of Uranium-235 (U-235), which is 1x10-3 kg, and then multiply it by the speed of light squared, which is 9x1016 m/s, the amount of energy it gives is 9x1013 joules (Nuclear Fission). That is a lot of energy that one gram of Uranium-235 can give.

Scientists use this formula to make nuclear bombs. Before diving into the use of nuclear bomb, we have to understand how a nuclear bomb is generated. An atom goes through a process in the nuclear bomb called nuclear fission. Nuclear fission is a process where a large nucleus breaks into two lighter and smaller nuclei, three additional neutrons, and energy. In a nuclear bomb, a neutron hits U-235, which stimulates nuclear fission to react. Two lighter nuclei, which are Barium (Ba) and Krypton (Kr), and several neutrons are generated, and a large amount of energy is released at the same time, creating a chain reaction. The reaction formula can be written as 1 neutron + U-235 → Ba - 141 + Kr - 92 + 3 neutrons + 3.2x10-11 joule (“Nuclear Fission”).

During World War II when America and Japan were at war, an organization called the Manhattan Project emerged. The people in the organization used Einstein’s equation to create a nuclear bomb that destroyed Hiroshima, a city in Japan. The city, Hiroshima, was filled with radiation, which killed tens of thousands of people; moreover, “the explosion immediately killed an estimated 80,000 people” (“Bombing”). The reason why nuclear bombs have such high destructiveness is because there are at least three neutrons to begin with and a lot of Uranium-235. Based on the nuclear fission equation, more neutrons are produced to hit more U-235, which creates a large amount of energy. The energy is stored in the nuclear bomb, and once the bomb hits its target, the energy explodes, wiping out all beings and buildings.

Einstein did not mean to create harm or destruction when he came up with the E = mc2 equation. He was simply “explaining how energy can be released in stars” (Rothman). However, our sinful nature has caused us to misuse his equation by creating war and destruction. Science is “a means of investigation that has emerged as our most consistent, reliable, and adaptable weapon against mystery” (“Benamran”). It is important for all to understand that science should be used to help humanity and improve our understanding of the world, not to destroy humanity.

References

Benamran, Bruce. “How to Speak Science: Gravity, Relativity and Other Ideas That Were Crazy until Proven Brilliant.” VIRGIN Books, 2019.

“Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.” History. 25 Jul. 2022. https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki. Accessed 4 Dec. 2022.

“Nuclear Fission.” CK-12. 9 Nov. 2018. flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-middle-school-physical-science-flexbook-2.0/section/8.10/primary/lesson/nuclear-fission-ms-ps/. Accessed 2 Nov. 2022.

Perkowitz, Sidney. “E = mc2.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 16 Aug. 2022. www.britannica.com/science/E-mc2-equation. Accessed 2 Nov. 2022.

Rothman, Tony.“Was Einstein the First to Invent E = mc2?” Scientific American. 24 Aug. 2015. www.scientificamerican.com/article/was-einstein-the-first-to-invent-e-mc2/#:~:text=Energy%20and%20mass%20are%20the,in%20stars%20and%20nuclear%20explosions. Accessed 2 Nov. 2022.