Chapter 16, Problem 7A

To determine

The evidence for the mass and energy equivalence.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The amount of energy E is directly related to mass m as per the Einstein's Mass-energy equation. Energy and mass are same. As mass of an object decreases, it emits the energy equal to loss of mass.

For all chemical reactions that emits energy show decrease in mass. In nuclear reaction, there is decrease in rest mass.

A nuclear power plant delivers 90 million mega joules of energy which is equivalent to delivering 1 gram of energy as mass and energy are equivalent.

Conclusion:

The evidence for mass and energy equivalence is the way energy is produced in nuclear power plants.