HEP: Energy Only in Kinetic or Potential Forms?

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of energy and its two forms, kinetic and potential. The topic is specifically related to high energy physics and the examples of potential energy at this level. The conversation also touches on the relationship between kinetic and potential energy in regards to vibrations and rotations of strings.
  • #1
Islam Hassan
233
5
I read recently that all energy is either kinetic or potential.

In high energy physics, it is easy to understand the kinetic bit, but potential energy eludes me. What are some examples of potential energy at the high energy physics/elementary particle level?

Also, if strings exist, how is kinetic and potential energy related to their vibrations/rotations (in layman terms please :)) or is this energy duality not applicable at this level?


IH
 
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  • #2
You could consider the binding energy in hadrons as potential energy.
Mass as type of energy is missing in the list.

Also, if strings exist, how is kinetic and potential energy related to their vibrations/rotations
Vibrations/rotations would give different masses and other properties of the particles, energy is like in conventional particle physics.
 

1. What is HEP: Energy Only in Kinetic or Potential Forms?

HEP stands for High Energy Physics, which is a branch of physics that studies the fundamental building blocks of the universe and the interactions between them. The phrase "Energy Only in Kinetic or Potential Forms" refers to the fact that the energy in HEP is only observed in the form of kinetic energy (the energy of motion) or potential energy (the energy stored in an object's position or configuration).

2. How is energy conserved in HEP?

In HEP, energy is conserved through the fundamental laws of physics, specifically the law of conservation of energy. This means that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can only be transferred or transformed from one form to another. In experiments, scientists must take into account all forms of energy, including kinetic and potential, to ensure that energy is conserved.

3. Can energy exist in other forms in HEP?

While the energy observed in HEP experiments is primarily in the form of kinetic and potential energy, there are other forms of energy that can exist in HEP. These include thermal energy, which is the energy of heat, and electromagnetic energy, which is the energy of light and other electromagnetic waves. However, these forms of energy are usually not as relevant in HEP experiments as kinetic and potential energy.

4. What are some examples of kinetic energy in HEP?

In HEP, the most common examples of kinetic energy are the energy of particles in motion, such as the movement of protons and neutrons in an atom or the acceleration of particles in a particle accelerator. In some experiments, the energy of motion can also be observed in the form of shockwaves or vibrations.

5. What are some examples of potential energy in HEP?

Potential energy in HEP can take many forms, depending on the experiment. For example, in a particle accelerator, potential energy is stored in the form of electric fields that accelerate particles. In other experiments, potential energy can be stored in the form of magnetic fields, gravitational fields, or the potential energy of particles in a bound state. Potential energy can also be observed in the form of nuclear binding energy, which is the energy that holds the nucleus of an atom together.

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