Chapter 16, Problem 4A

To determine

To explain: The meaning of equivalence of mass and energy. Also, the equation of mass-energy equivalence.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Energy of an object is simply defined as its capacity of performing the work. Energy can be exist in various forms and can be transformed from one form in to another.

Mass gives the quantity of substance present in a certain object. The mass of an object remains the same until there will be no addition or removal of substance from it.

The mass energy equivalence relation $E=m{c}^2$ was put forth by a German physicist. Here, $E$ is the energy of an object, $m$ is mass of an object, and $c$ is the velocity of light. This relation clearly implies that the mass and energy can be transformed from one to other and a certain amount of mass of an object is correspondent to a certain amount of energy associated with that object. Where $c$ acts a conversion factor to convert mass units in to an energy units.