Picking a higher density of the material just means the one gram would occupy less volume, it doesn’t affect how much energy that gram is equivalent to in terms of E=mc2. For that calculation, as the equation implies, only the mass matters; a gram of feathers is equivalent to the same amount of energy as a gram of lead for that equation. Now, this equation is in fact a simplified assumption; if you launch your feather at relativistic speed, then we’re talking
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henfredemars@infosec.pub 6 months agoI also think it’s an interesting choice to use uranium. Wouldn’t osmium be a better choice due to its increased density?
phcorcoran@lemmy.world 6 months ago
henfredemars@infosec.pub 6 months ago
This is true. This is why I compared them using the fixed volume of one cubic centimeter rather than using something like specific gravity. The only thing that differs is the mass.
Chestnut@lemmy.world 6 months ago
How much more matter is in a gram of osmium than in a gram of uranium?
henfredemars@infosec.pub 6 months ago
Given that mass behaves the same regardless of what is providing that mass in a gravity field, I imagine it simply the ratio of the weights. I’m assuming NewtonIan physics here.
Osmium is 22.59 g/cm3. Uranium is 19.1 g/cm3
I would therefore expect about 10% percent more energy if it was made of osmium, simply equating mass and energy here with the famous crazy-haired guy equation.
69420@lemmy.world 6 months ago
I think more people know what uranium is. I, for one, had never heard of osmium until right now. Jokes are funnier if you don’t have to explain them.