What is momentum?

Momentum is a central concept in both classical and modern physics. It tells us something about the force that a massive body–or massless particle–exerts in a collision. But how are the classical and quantum formulas related? What exactly is momentum? A textbook description of momentum merely characterizes the classical formula . The formula gives a … Read more

What is the physical meaning of Einstein’s famous equation 𝐸=𝑚𝑐²?

Einstein’s iconic equation 𝐸=𝑚𝑐² is perhaps the most recognized equation of all time. It is famously simple and profound. Ask anyone familiar with the formula and they’ll probably tell you that mass and energy are two different forms of the same thing. They might even tell you that the conversion rate between them is the … Read more