> Most people know of the equation E=mc, but how many know what it means? Sure, you know that energy equals mass times the square of the speed of light. Good for you. You may also know that it allows you to calculate the destructive capacity of the glass of Coke sitting next to you.
That's not strictly true. E=mc2 is only accurate on a subatomic level. Thus in a reaction where Uranium decays, the energy released can be calculated from the mass of the components. The energy is considerably less than e=mc2 for the Uranium atom itself because you have to take the overall result - energy in and energy out. Thus although e=mc2 is true for Coke, the overall energy released will probably be negative, because you've got to put more energy in than you get out in order to split the atom.
Slashdot Mirror
> Most people know of the equation E=mc, but how many know what it means? Sure, you know that energy equals mass times the square of the speed of light. Good for you. You may also know that it allows you to calculate the destructive capacity of the glass of Coke sitting next to you.
That's not strictly true. E=mc2 is only accurate on a subatomic level. Thus in a reaction where Uranium decays, the energy released can be calculated from the mass of the components. The energy is considerably less than e=mc2 for the Uranium atom itself because you have to take the overall result - energy in and energy out. Thus although e=mc2 is true for Coke, the overall energy released will probably be negative, because you've got to put more energy in than you get out in order to split the atom.
I have to agree on anonymity. I don't think being anonymous achieves much.
Just picture Slashdot with out the ACs. It would be no great loss would it?
Furthermore, I think people should, if they want to express an opinion say so in public - otherwise they can't really believe it.
Anonymous promulgation of opinions is cowardly and dangerous.