Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Einstein's Big Idea

Season 32 Episode 13 | 1hr 49m 01s

Over 100 years ago, Albert Einstein grappled with the implications of his revolutionary special theory of relativity and came to a startling conclusion: mass and energy are one, related by the formula E = mc2. In "Einstein's Big Idea," NOVA dramatizes the remarkable story behind this equation. E = mc2 was just one of several extraordinary breakthroughs that Einstein made in 1905.

Aired: 10/09/05 | Expires: 02/15/16
National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.
Extras
From electric flight to artificial noses, engineers are finding new ways to preserve our planet.
Blending innovation and culture, engineers bring a robotic Double Dutch machine to life.
Humans are born to roam. See how engineers are inventing new ways to explore and extend our range.
The moon Phobos has a mysterious origin but a certain expiration date.
Some large meteorites survive their descent through our atmosphere and land on Earth.
The ocean beneath Europa’s icy shell might be an ideal environment for life.
Hydrothermal vents in Enceladus’ ocean may hold the promise of life.
Enceladus’ small size and icy surface is no limitation to its extreme volcanism.
Martian dust devils may have helped NASA’s rovers restore power during mission.
As comets cross the invisible boundary known as the ice line, their ice starts turning into gas.
Latest Episodes
All
  • All
  • NOVA Season 51
  • NOVA Season 50
  • NOVA Season 49
  • NOVA Season 48
  • NOVA Season 47
  • NOVA Season 46
  • NOVA Season 45
  • NOVA Season 44
  • NOVA Season 43
  • NOVA Season 42
  • NOVA Season 41
  • NOVA Season 40
  • NOVA Season 39
  • NOVA Season 38
  • NOVA Season 37
  • NOVA Season 36
  • NOVA Season 35
  • NOVA Season 34
  • NOVA Season 33
  • NOVA Season 32
  • NOVA Season 31
  • NOVA Season 30
  • NOVA Season 28
  • NOVA Season 27
  • NOVA Season 23
From electric flight to artificial noses, engineers are finding new ways to preserve our planet.
Humans are born to roam. See how engineers are inventing new ways to explore and extend our range.
Is engineering humanity’s superpower? See how we can amplify our natural abilities in amazing ways.
Dive into the universe at the tiniest – and weirdest – of scales.
Meet the surprising, oddball worlds moving around our solar system.
Visit strange, frozen worlds to discover the bizarre ice that forms beyond Earth.
Discover the powerful volcanic eruptions that have shaped worlds across our solar system.
What are the weirdest worlds in our solar system, and how did they come to be?
Discover the dramatic forces creating spectacular weather on neighboring planets and moons.
Explore big discoveries that have revolutionized our understanding of the universe.