0
$\begingroup$

Not looking for derivation, that is self explanatory. But why the speed of light, not some other constant like avagadros number or number of stars or anything else? Seems like lightspeed is special. Can’t find this answer by google

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
7
  • $\begingroup$ It’s a mathematical consequence of special theory of relativity. It is same as kinetic energy has nothing to do with the number $\frac{1}{2}$ in Newtonian Mechanics. $\endgroup$
    – user240696
    Commented Nov 24, 2019 at 17:37
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Following up on Knight's comment, the connection between the speed of light and the "energy content of mass" can be found in Einstein's paper : "Does the Inertia of a Body Depend upon its Energy-Content." September 27, 1905. You can down load it free from the internet. $\endgroup$
    – Bob D
    Commented Nov 24, 2019 at 17:40
  • $\begingroup$ Well in natural unit systems, $c\equiv1$ and there is no coefficient, one only has $E=m$. $\endgroup$
    – Kyle Kanos
    Commented Nov 24, 2019 at 17:41
  • $\begingroup$ It doesn’t have anything to do with light. It has to do with the invariance for all inertial observers of one particular speed, a speed which light happens to move at. Another way to phrase it is that it is related to the Minkowskian geometry of spacetime. $\endgroup$
    – G. Smith
    Commented Nov 24, 2019 at 17:42
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ possible duplicate: physics.stackexchange.com/q/148577/84967 and links therein. $\endgroup$
    – AccidentalFourierTransform
    Commented Nov 24, 2019 at 17:43

0

Reset to default