# The mass of a body on the surface of the Moon is greater than that on Earth according to the equation E=mc^2

The mass of a body on the surface of the Moon is greater than that on Earth
according to the equation $E=m{c}^{2}$
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AtticaPlotowvi
Yes, but... When considering the energy of a bound gravitational system, it is best to think of the system as a whole. Consider the following thought experiment: You begin with a ball held at some height above the surface of the earth. Let's say that the rest mass of the elevated ball + earth system is ${m}_{1}$. Then you allow the ball to drop to the surface of the earth. When it hits the ground, some energy is released as sound, thermal vibrations, and eventually thermal radiation. Some of this energy will escape into space. Again, because of the $E=m{c}^{2}$ relation for objects at rest, the rest energy of the dropped ball + earth system, ${m}_{2}$, will be less than ${m}_{1}$.
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