When energy is converted into light and other forms of radiation, there is no actual disappearance or destruction of mass. According to the theory of mass-energy equivalence, proposed by Albert Einstein through his famous equation E=mc², mass and energy are two interchangeable forms.
In simple terms, energy can be converted into mass, and mass can be converted into energy. When a process such as nuclear reactions or particle interactions occurs, a small amount of mass can be converted into energy in the form of light and other electromagnetic radiation. This energy is emitted in the form of photons.
The relationship described by Einstein's equation shows that energy and mass are proportional to each other, with the speed of light squared (c²) acting as the conversion factor. The equation suggests that a small amount of mass can generate a large amount of energy, and vice versa.
Therefore, in the process of converting energy into light and other forms of radiation, the mass is essentially transformed into energy, which is carried away by photons. The total mass-energy of the system remains conserved throughout the process.