The Energy Revolution: E = mc²γ and Its Consequences
Paul Bruma · 2022
This chapter begins with a question brought about by the relativistic Momentum: What does its time part represent? We will see the reasons why it is the energy, and subsequently, we will carefully analyze the main novelties brought by this new expression: E = mc² γ . The first novelty is the dramatic energy increase when the object speed is close to c. The second one, which is the most important consequence of Special Relativity as Einstein prophetically said, is the presence of a fixed part, mc². We will see that it expresses an equivalence of inertia and energy: mass can be transformed into energy and vice versa. The reason for the presence of the term c², which is huge and shows that a very small mass possesses an enormous amount of energy, will be carefully explained. Then, applications such as nuclear reactions will be presented, with an overview of fusion and fission. The Force in Relativity will then be presented, including the Newtonian-like Force and the Force of Minkowski with their main properties. Finally, physical consequences for the photon will be presented: we will see how the relativistic Momentum can be applied to the photon, explaining various phenomena including the famous photoelectric effect.