The scientific unit of measurement for energy is the joule (J: kg x m^2 / s/2). If three grams of matter are converted to their equivalent amount of energy, about how much energy is released (use c=3x10^8 m/s) ?
The equation relating matter and energy is E=mc^2, where E is energy, m is mass, and c is the speed of light. Therefore:
E = 3g x (3x10^8 m/s)^2
E = 3g x 9x10^16 m^2/s^2
E = 27x10^16 g x m^2/s^2
E = 27x10^13 J
Therefore, approximately 27x10^13 joules of energy would be released if three grams of matter were converted to energy.