E = mc² Explained

Nima Arkani-Hamed
Theoretical Physicist
Harvard University
"Things that seem incredibly different can really be manifestations of the same underlying phenomena."

Running time 1:23

Janet Conrad
Experimental Physicist
Columbia University
"For me there's a lot more to the equation than E = mc²."

Running time 1:32

Sheldon Glashow
Theoretical Physicist and Nobel Laureate
Boston University
"When an object emits light, say, a flashlight, it gets lighter."

Running time 2:28

Brian Greene
Theoretical Physicist
Columbia University
"It certainly is not an equation that reveals all its subtlety in the few symbols that it takes to write down."

Running time 2:19

Alan Guth
Theoretical Physicist
MIT
"It's easiest to explain by how things looked from the point of view of Newton."

Running time 1:46

Tim Halpin-Healy
Theoretical Physicist
Barnard College, Columbia University
"Moving clocks run slow, moving meter sticks are shortened—how does that happen?"

Running time 2:13

Lene Hau
Experimental Physicist
Harvard University
"You can get access to parts of nature you have never been able to get access to before."

Running time 1:09

Michio Kaku
Theoretical Physicist
City University of New York
"E = mc² is the secret of the stars."

Running time 1:05

Neil deGrasse Tyson
Astrophysicist
American Museum of Natural History
"It's something that doesn't happen in your kitchen or in everyday life."

Running time 2:48

Frank Wilczek
Theoretical Physicist and Nobel Laureate
MIT
"Ninety-five percent of the mass of matter as we know it comes from energy."

Running time 1:01