Rest energy, abbreviated as \(m_0\), is the energy an object possesses due to its mass when it’s at rest, not moving. It comes from Einstein’s famous equation, E = mc², where \(E\) is energy, \(m\) is mass, and \(c\) is the speed of light in a vacuum. Essentially, it’s the idea that mass itself is a form of stored energy. Even if something isn’t moving, it still has this intrinsic energy just because it exists.
Rest Energy formula |
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\( E_0 \;=\; m_0 \cdot c^2 \) (Rest Energy) \( m_0 \;=\; \dfrac{ E_0 }{ c^2 } \) \( c \;=\; \sqrt{ \dfrac{ E_0 }{ m_0 } } \) |
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| Symbol | English | Metric |
| \( E_0 \) = rest energy | \(lbf-ft\) | \(J\) |
| \( m_0 \) = rest mass | \(lbm\) | \(kg\) |
| \( c \) = speed of light | \(ft \;/\; sec\) | \(m \;/\; s\) |
