[The rest of the post includes calculations]
Einstein says E=MC^2.... right? Energy=Mass x speed of light squared[..]
My question is why does einstein butt 'light' into everything? Why not just say E=M times a certain number?
36 comments
Well the answer to why it needs to be a speed has to do with how E=m*c^2 is derived from F=m*a. It's part of the fundamental definition of the unit of energy.
Because stating it as "the speed of light" covers the possibility that the speed of light may be more accurately measured in the future. If one used a particular number (the best measurement of the speed of light at the time the equation is written), the next increase in accuracy in the measurement of the speed of light would make the equation incorrect.
"Also, the segments in here weren't posted by JohnR7. He was quoting the user named "The Gregorian". Of course, JohnR7's stuff was a bit strange, too, but this isn't it."
Wow. After reading this, I laughed out loud, and listening to that laugh, it was the most evil thing I had ever heard.
Wow, this is just funny. Physics wants to slap this man. Let's see. If you read the whole article, it's just chock full of erroneous thought. For example, he tries to use pound instead of kilogram, forgets to square units, doesn't know units, and compares it to torque or some shit. I laugh at you.
It should be kept in mind that 'c' isn't really "the speed of light", it is instead "the speed of light in a hard vacuum ". Even more specifically, one should add the qualifier that in other spaces, 'c' may possibly be different; depends on which theory you give the most credence (if I remember correctly, there's at least one that says this).
<<< Why not just say E=M times a certain number? >>>
Yeah, it makes so much more sense when you read it as:
My question is why does einstein butt 'light' into everything? Why not just say E=M times a certain number? K... so what's my point other than to publically announce that I don't agree with what junior highschool teachers are professing about physics?
Absolutely hilarious. (Oh, by the way, the citation link goes to the wrong post; it was a reply to The Gregorian, written by John R7.)
I find it hilarious that he says he understands how this works, considering that a high school physics student can work out how to relate this and all the other high school level quantum stuff they teach. =/ You can, through rather simple substitution, show how this is equivalent to any number of other things using the various formulae and theorems that came out after it.
<<Its important because the speed of light may change or be different in other galaxies,>>
From the "Calculations" part of his post:
You're missing the point. The speed of light is a practical constant. Energy, and mass are variable. In order solve an equation for either mass, or energy, you will need to solve an exponential function. Do the math. It works.
Oh, man, this is just making my brain hurt, especially the followup posts. This is raising ignorant stupidity to the level of an art form.
You know, I can remember a time (not too long ago) when I thought I knew just about everything and that no theory was too great for me to fuck with.
"you said "Poundkilometerseconds is meaningless." And you're right. And E=MC^2 says exactly that because no one would question einstin on anything having to do with light."
"This guy must not realize that Einstein came up with this stuff as a patent clerk. It's not like King Einstein dictated this from on-high and everyone just accepted it"
This guy goes on to claim:
As a guy working with relativistic physics, I want to be on record as saying that The Gregorian is in dire need of a brain transplant.c pops up there, but the chances that he'd even try and understand seem neglible.
Because...the *right number* IS the speed of light?
Because...this equation describes the relationship between mass and energy?
Because...you're an imbecile?
I dunno, man. You got me.
Confused?
So were we! You can find all of this, and more, on Fundies Say the Darndest Things!
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