In the equation E = mc², what does the symbol "E" represent?

In the equation E = mc², the symbol "E" represents energy. This equation, formulated by Albert Einstein, establishes a fundamental relationship between mass and energy, demonstrating that mass can be converted into energy and vice versa. The "c" in the equation stands for the speed of light in a vacuum, which is a constant value of approximately 3.00 x 10^8 meters per second. The implication of this relationship is profound, as it shows that even a small amount of mass can be transformed into a significant amount of energy, given that the speed of light squared (c²) is an extremely large number.

Understanding that "E" stands for energy is crucial in various fields of physics and chemistry, especially when exploring concepts like nuclear reactions, where tiny amounts of mass are converted into large quantities of energy in processes such as fission and fusion.