a law is an equation or rule that is experimentally reliable and supported by theory

a law is an equation or rule that is experimentally reliable in a given set of conditions. Given a different set of conditions that law might not hold up. Newton's Law of Gravity only holds up in weak gravitational fields, but for the purposes of the conditions we live in on earth, is reliable.

A theory on the other hand, does not offer an explanation for the phenomena. Einstein's equation shows a mass energy equivalency in space and time and not applicable to all types of mass and energy unless the momentum is zero for the system under consideration.

So, to my understanding, no, Einstein's equation is not a law. It offers no explanation for such a phenomena, nor can it be observed without altering the equation to account for a system's total momentum.

No serious person claims that it was the "foundation of the Manhattan Project," but it is the origin of the certain knowledge that enormous energy could be released by nuclear fission.


Tell PeterRabbit, not me.

Many of the major contributors to the Manhattan Project, such as Feynman and Fermi, were both theoretical and experimental physicists. There were also plenty of mathematicians.

Where did I say there wasn't?