Reddit reviews Why Does E=mc2? (And Why Should We Care?)

I guess I'm frustrated because you're completely wrong and people are agreeing with you. The level of scientific illiteracy in these comments is disturbing. It's good that you recognize that you could be wrong and that you've actively tried to find out. I would recommend Why e=mc^2? (and why should we care?) as an excellent and accessible book exploring these topics.

One helpful way of learning is discussing our understanding of the ideas after we read about them. That's one thing that really helped me.

When it comes to the big bang, it is primarily about the expansion of space. The existence of matter is kind of a happy-accident that still needs explaining. Basically, during the big bang, there were particles and their anti-particles being created and colliding with one another and turning into pure energy. These should have annihilated each other completely, canceling them out. Instead, matter seems to have won out. Finding out the answer to that is one of the big questions facing physics these days.

I can admit that your ideas sounds good and seem consistent. The problem is that they aren't at all reflective of reality.

This scenario is written about in the book Why does e=mc^2 and why should we care?

Good book; a bit heady at times.

This might help.

I found it quite interesting.

There's a book about this... its both excellent and terrible at the same time ... The book does a great job explaining some points, it really gets down to your level and treats you like a kid (this is a good thing).. but then it makes giant leaps of logic leaving you wondering what the heck just happened. I read it like 3 time and still don't understand parts of it. Why does E=mc^2?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0306817586/sr=8-1/qid=1252937950/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1252937950&sr=8-1&seller=

Why Does E=mc2 by Brian Cox, Jeff Forshaw

The Goldilocks Enigma by Paul Davies

He's also an author. That specific book titled " Why Does E=mc^2 " breaks the equation and relativity down to an understandable topic and you don't have to do the math, unless you want to.

He's got a few other books out that are on my wishlist. I really enjoyed the one listed above, I've read it twice so far. Will probably read it again this weekend.

Looks like your question has been answered, but I have a book recommendation:

http://www.amazon.com/Why-Does-mc2-Should-Care/dp/0306817586

I think you'll enjoy it. It explains the answers you've asked for and a lot more, in a pretty approachable way.

I just wanted to point out one thing, not necessarily settle any arguments. Einstein's equation you wrote is a bit wrong. It should be E=mc2+(1/2)mv2. I think this is right, although I am a bit tired and too lazy to double check (sorry). Anyways, the reason we only remember the E=mc^2 part is because if a relatively small object (for example 1kg) is at zero velocity, then there is a huge amount of energy involved in the total mass. Theoretically, it could power a city for 100 years. This was the ground breaking part, and it lead physicists to discover the atomic bomb -> a lot of energy in little mass.

*This book is the source of what I (brutally) said.

Probably too late for you to read this but I actually have a book to suggests that spends quite some time dealing with this very subject.
http://www.amazon.com/Why-Does-mc2-Should-Care/dp/0306817586

If you're in the mood for a book, Why Does E = MC Squared is a really good and accessible explanation.