Relativity · E = mc²
Mass–Energy Equivalence
Einstein's result that mass and energy are two forms of the same thing, related by the speed of light squared. It is the accounting behind starlight: fusing hydrogen into helium in the Sun's core converts about four million tonnes of mass into energy every second, and it governs the annihilation of matter with antimatter.
Highlights
- ›E = mc² — the source of every star's light
Related physics & astronomy
Across fundamental physics
Knowledge connections
- Associated withAntimatter
- Associated withSpecial Relativity
- Associated withThe Sun
- Associated withThe Solar Core
- Associated withAntimatter
- Associated withThe Equivalence Principle
- Associated withThe GZK Limit
Sources
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.