Final answer:
Relativity and quantum mechanics revolutionized the understanding of matter and energy. Einstein's E = mc^2 equation demonstrates that mass and energy are interconvertible, contradicting classical mechanics, and quantum mechanics introduces the particle-wave duality. The correct option is B.
Step-by-step explanation:
The relationship between matter and energy was transformed by the development of relativity and quantum mechanics. Prior to these theories, it was thought that mass and energy were independent concepts. With the advent of Albert Einstein's theory of relativity, encapsulated by the equation E = mc2, it became clear that mass is a form of energy. This meant that mass could be converted to energy and vice versa, contradictory to classical mechanics which treated energy and mass as totally separate. Quantum mechanics further revealed the particle-wave duality, indicating that particles exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties, adding another layer to the complexity of matter and energy interactions.
In quantum mechanical systems, it is understood that mass is a component of the internal energy of a system, and through various interactions, changes in mass can lead to changes in the system's total energy. These findings are crucial as they validate the principle of conservation of energy in a relativistic context, implying that while the forms may change, the total amount of energy, including that represented as mass, remains constant. Experiments have confirmed this revolutionary concept, highlighting the deep interconnectedness of all energy and mass.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is: b) Mass is a form of energy, as stated by E = mc2.