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What is the relationship between mass and energy according to special relativity?
AMass and energy are entirely separate and never convert into each other
BEnergy can convert to mass, but mass never converts to energy
CMass equals energy divided by the speed of light
DMass and energy are interchangeable, related by E = mc^2
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. Mass and energy are interchangeable, related by E = mc^2
1. Special relativity treats mass and energy as interchangeable quantities.
2. Their relationship is given by E equals m times c squared.
3. Conversion works in both directions, so saying only energy can convert to mass is incomplete.
4. Mass equals energy divided by the speed of light squared, not simply divided by the speed of light.
5. So mass and energy being interchangeable through E = mc^2 is correct.
_Source: OpenStax Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 10 "Special Relativity", section 10.2 Consequences of Special Relativity_
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