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How do Particles without mass have Energy?

According to Einstein, E=MC(2) But anything times 0 is also 0. So how does a particle or antiparticle with 0 mass have energy?
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  • Asked by Ami_VII
  • on 2010-11-26 19:20:12
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Categories: Unanswered.

Tags: ParticlePhysics, einstein.

 

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Jon-Richfield says:

The error is that E=Mcc is only part of the more complete relationship. Momentum is another term in the equation, but it usually is omitted because it usually is negligible unless M = 0, or is small relative to E.

A more complete equation is E^2 = (pc)^2 + (Mcc)^2, where p is the momentum.

Notice that where M >> 0, p is relatively small, so usually we ignore it. However, where M = 0, as in a photon for example, it still has momentum, even if it has no mass, as long as it has energy, which a photon certainly has. Where M is slightly greater than 0, but E is significiant, such as in an energetic neutrino, then it is not practical to ignore the value of (pc)^2

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Tags: ParticlePhysics, einstein.

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posted on 2010-11-26 19:58:43 | Report abuse


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