Yes, according to Einstein's famous equation E=mc^2, matter can be converted into energy and vice versa. This equation expresses the equivalence of mass (m) and energy (E) and states that the energy of an object (in joules) is equal to its mass (in kilograms) multiplied by the speed of light squared (c^2), where c is the speed of light in a vacuum.
The equation implies that even a small amount of mass contains a large amount of energy. The speed of light squared is an enormous value (approximately 9 x 10^16 square meters per second squared), which means that even a small amount of mass can release a tremendous amount of energy when it is converted.
To understand this better, consider a nuclear reaction. In nuclear reactions, such as those occurring in the Sun or in nuclear power plants, a small fraction of the mass of atomic nuclei is converted into energy. This conversion is based on Einstein's equation. The energy released is the result of the difference in mass before and after the reaction. The missing mass, multiplied by the speed of light squared, gives the amount of energy released.
This equation has been confirmed through various experiments and is a fundamental principle underlying nuclear reactions, such as those in the atomic bomb or nuclear power plants. It also plays a crucial role in understanding processes like the conversion of mass to energy in the Sun, which powers its radiation.
So, in summary, Einstein's equation E=mc^2 shows that matter and energy are interchangeable, and converting matter into energy or vice versa is indeed possible.