E=MC2

E=MC2 is perhaps the worlds most famous equation, but what does it mean? Why is it so? And how is that relevant to this unit?
To answer the last question first; this unit is about //energy// an propulsion and the "E" in E=MC2 means Energy, so it is absolutely relevant. The equation was invented in 1905 by Albert Einstein. He understood that matter can turn to energy and opposite. E=MC2 shows us how much enrgy can be released from mass. However this involves complete annhilation of the matter, which only happens if it encounters antimatter. But //if// this should ever happen we would have a way to create almost unlimited energy with no pollution, radiation or environmental dangers.

The equation means: So it is: **Energy=mass x Speed of light squared (900 000 000).**
 * E=Energy
 * M=Mass
 * C2=Speed of light squared

For example: If 0.111 kg (the amount of hydrogen in 1 kg of water) hydrogen were annhilated than the enrgy released would be calculated like this: = 0.111 x 300,000,000 x 300,000,000 = **10,000,000,000,000,000 Joules** ||
 * [[image:http://www.worsleyschool.net/science/files/emc2/emc2form.JPG width="49" height="13"]]

10,000,000,000,000,000 joules is quite alot of energy.If you consider all the energy in the full kilogram of water, which also contains oxygen atoms, the total energy equivalent is close to 10 million gallons of gasoline! However this only works if the hydrogen is 100% annhilated.

Nuclear power:
In ** nuclear fission ** (fig.1) only 0.7% of the mass is converted to energy and still a nuclear bomb has the power of many kilotons of normal explosives. Nuclear fission occurs when unstable materials get rid of protons. We talk about this as radiation. Nuclear fission was used in the first atomic bombs and nuclear power plants. Newer nuclear weapons and plants use ** nuclear fusion **(fig.2)**. ** **Nuclear fusion** occurs when nuclei combine and form a "double nuclei". A "double nuclei" uses less energy than two separate nucleuss and the leftover energy can be used to heat water and create steam in a power turbine or explode in a nuclear missile. ** Nuclear fusion ** is also what happens in the sun. In both of these processes only a small amount (ca.0.7%) of the energy is released, so if we could use 100% of the energy from matter, we could make almost unlimited power without harming the environment. Or we could destroy the world in a matter of days if it is used wrongly.
 * Nuclear fission: **

Sources: [] Contents © Bill Willis 1999 [] © 1994 - 2011 California Energy Commission. Energy Quest™ is a trademark of the California Energy Commission. and Simeon made this page ;)