1910s-1930s: Science and Industry

Evan Frazier

What is E=mc²?

We've all heard it before, but what does E=mc² actually mean? Scientists define it as energy equals mass multiplied by the speed of light squared. When a mass of any size is traveling the speed of light squared (299,792,458 m/s²), it will change into energy. In laymen's terms, it is a simple equation to find out how much of this energy is created

The Significance of E=mc²

Why is this so important? Well, basically this means that energy and matter are two forms of the same thing. Since the speed of light squared is such a large number, when combined with a substantial mass, a huge amount of energy is created.

The Guy Behind the Equation

Albert Einstein came up with this famous equation. Einstein was able to see where an understanding of this formula would lead. Although peaceful by nature and politics, he helped write a letter to the President of the United States, urging him to fund research into the development of an atomic bomb before the Nazis or Japan developed their own first. The result was the Manhatten Project, which produced the first tangible evidence of E=mc²: the atomic bomb.