Einstein’s equation brought to book by physicists

A new book by two well-known Manchester physicists explores the real meaning behind the iconic sequence of symbols that make up Einstein’s most famous equation.

‘Why Does E=mc2?: (and Why Should We Care?) by Prof Brian Cox, professor of particle physics and Royal Society University Research Fellow and Prof Jeff Forshaw, professor of theoretical physics, is a groundbreaking journey into the real meaning of the equation.

Breaking down the symbols themselves, they pose a series of questions: What is energy? What is mass? What has the speed of light got to do with energy and mass?

In answering these questions, they take us to the site of one of the largest scientific experiments ever conducted. Lying beneath the city of Geneva, straddling the Franco-Swiss boarder, is a 27 km particle accelerator, known as the Large Hadron Collider. Using this gigantic machine - which can recreate conditions in the early Universe fractions of a second after the Big Bang - Cox and Forshaw will describe the current theory behind the origin of mass.

A collaboration between two of the youngest professors in the UK, Why Does E=MC2? promises to be one of the most exciting and accessible explanations of the theory of relativity in recent years.

Prof Cox splits his time between experimental physics in Manchester and the CERN labs in Geneva, Switzerland. He was also science adviser on Danny Boyle’s stunning film Sunshine. Prof Jeff Forshaw, like Brian, is one of the youngest professors in the UK. He teaches Einstein’s theory of relativity to first year students.

QI host and professional genius Stephen Fry has praised Prof Cox. He said: “I can think of no one, Stephen Hawking included, who more perfectly combines authority, knowledge, passion, clarity and powers of elucidation than Brian Cox.

“If you really want to know how Big Science works and why it matters to each of us in the smallest way, then be entertained by this dazzlingly enthusiastic man.”

The book was launched at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester and was a trailblazer event for Manchester Science Festival, a fun-packed annual week of inspirational shows and workshops from October 24th to November 1st 2009. For more information please see

‘Why Does E=mc2? (and why should we care?)’ is available in hardback for £12.99. It is published by De Capo Press.

Source: University of Manchester