What does E=MC2 actually mean?

Question

Everybody's heard of this before; and it seems to be like a big deal; like one of Einstien's big discoveries. But what does it actually mean?

Haha; I've always wondered this.(:

Answer 1

energy = mass x the speed of light squared

Answer 2

In physics, mass–energy equivalence is the concept that any mass has an associated energy and vice versa. In special relativity this relationship is expressed using the mass–energy equivalence formula

E=MC^2

Answer 3

AHA there is no simple answer to this question, however I can break it down as easily as I can. Energy is equal to (Mass times the speed of light)squared........

lost ya yet?? good...

what it means is everything in the universe has a mass, regardless of what it is....air, water, feathers...whatever.

Now.....to keep that mass intact and together from falling apart you need ENERGY...

This equation basically tells you how much energy is required to hold a mass of whatever together. As you can imagine, Mass times the speed of light squared is a LARGE RIDICULOUS number....well thats where the concept of the ATOM bomb resides. If you can take a small mass and RELEASE its enormous amount of ENERGY in an instant...YOU HAVE an ATOMIC explosion.  

Answer 4

Just research Einstein's theory of relativity.