What does the equation E=mc^2 represent, and how did Einstein derive it?

The equation E=mc² is one of the most famous equations in the world and is widely recognized as the most important scientific equation of the 20th century. It describes the relationship between mass and energy, and shows that they are interchangeable. Specifically, it states that the energy (E) of an object is equal to its mass (m) times the speed of light (c) squared.

Albert Einstein is credited with deriving this equation in 1905 as part of his special theory of relativity. The derivation of the equation is based on the idea that mass and energy are equivalent, and that they can be transformed from one to the other. Einstein demonstrated that the mass of an object is actually a form of energy, and that this energy is proportional to the mass of the object times the speed of light squared.

Einstein's equation revolutionized our understanding of the physical world, and has had many practical applications, including the development of nuclear energy and weapons. It has also led to a deeper understanding of the relationship between matter and energy, and has paved the way for many advances in modern physics.