The exhibition presents in an accessible and modern way one of the most important equations in the history of science, and its impact on the development of technology, energy and contemporary civilization.
The equation formulated by Albert Einstein in 1905 as a supplement to the Special Theory of Relativity has left its mark not only in physics textbooks but also in popular culture. Although almost everyone knows it, few can explain its meaning and consequences, both the groundbreaking and the controversial ones. The new exhibition of the Narodowe Muzeum Techniki aims to convey this knowledge in an accessible, engaging and modern way.
Science becomes understandable to everyone because the narrative of the exhibition is built on a detailed explanation of each element of the equation E = mc²:
- E – energy,
- sign = – equivalence relation,
- m – mass,
- c – speed of light,
- ² – power, which changes the scale of the phenomenon.
Visitors discover the meaning of the formula through exhibits, interactive devices, audiovisual materials and professional guided tours led by educators. The exhibition shows both the dramatic consequences of the discovery, such as the development of nuclear weapons, and its peaceful applications, among them nuclear energy based on fission and fusion processes.
Special attention is devoted to the future of energy and research on nuclear fusion. The exhibition presents the international ITER project of an experimental thermonuclear reactor, and an additional attraction is a demonstration of plasma generation and its electrostatic-inertial confinement in the FUZOR device.
The exhibition is aimed at visitors of all ages, from the youngest enthusiasts of science, through school pupils and students, to adults looking for new perspectives and inspiration. The thoughtful form of the display encourages shared discovery of science and invites questions.
The exhibition was created through the cooperation of the Narodowe Muzeum Techniki in Warsaw and the Instytut Fizyki Plazmy i Laserowej Mikrosyntezy, with the participation of renowned scientific and museum institutions.
“E = mc² – the Formula That Changed the World” is not only an exhibition but also a space of inspiration, stimulating curiosity and interest in physics and modern technologies. The creators hope that the exhibition will become an impulse, especially for young people, to choose an educational and professional path in the exact sciences, one of the most dynamic and fascinating fields of contemporary knowledge.
Exhibition partners: Instytut Fizyki Plazmy i Laserowej Mikrosyntezy im. Sylwestra Kaliskiego w Warszawie, Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Narodowe Centrum Badań Jądrowych, Simopt – Energy Encyclopedia.com
E = mc² – the Formula That Changed the World
Permanent
