Energy: What is it and Is Matter Energy?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Microburst
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Energy Matter
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of energy, its fundamental nature, and its relationship to matter. Participants explore theoretical perspectives, definitions, and philosophical implications, with a focus on both conceptual understanding and the scientific basis of energy.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that energy is a human-created concept used to describe observable phenomena, similar to mathematics.
  • Others argue that energy is fundamentally linked to the ability to cause changes in systems and can only be detected through its transformations.
  • A participant references Feynman's lectures, indicating that energy is often analyzed through its effects rather than a clear definition.
  • One participant proposes that energy could be viewed as the potential emission of radiation resulting from particle interactions, applicable to various types of matter interactions.
  • Another perspective states that matter is essentially a dense form of energy, though this view is not universally accepted among participants.
  • A participant humorously notes that nobody truly knows what energy is at its core, reflecting the complexity and ambiguity of the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the nature of energy and its relationship to matter, with no consensus reached. Some definitions and interpretations are contested, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the fundamental understanding of energy.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of a universally accepted definition of energy, varying interpretations of its relationship to matter, and the philosophical implications of viewing energy as a concept versus a physical reality.

Microburst
Messages
48
Reaction score
0
What is energy? at it's very core?
is matter madeup of energy?
 
Science news on Phys.org
energy is a concept created by humans to describe things we see. kinda like math... math doesn't really exist.. it's just a concept, but it can be used to explain things and predict things. does that make sense to ya?
 
Helllo, Microburst!
This is one of questions more curious of Physics, by the way, this question is in my journal, visit it, you can give your opinion! Actually, nobody doesn't know what's energy; what we do it is to analyze the results caused by energy.
I advice that you look for the book: Feymann's lectures on the Physics v.1, the Prof. Richard Feymann makes interesting analogy between energy and blocks of toy.
 
I have another similar question:

What do the clouds smell of?


......
Both have similar answers. :smile:
 
A simplified definition of energy (which may be helpful in getting a conceptual toe-hold, but is not at all complete, because a complete answer to this question could go on for decades):

Energy is the ability to cause a change in one's self or surroundings.
And
Energy can only be detected as it changes from one form into another
And
The total amount of energy (in all forms) in a closed system always remains constant.

THis is, I repeat, a good place to start, but does not completely answer the question. Kastarov's reference to Feynman's lecture is a good one; I second that recommendation!
 
E = mc^2 :biggrin: it seems matter is made up of lots of potential energy, but you need lots of energy to get it out. :rolleyes: (unless you are an unstable radioactive kind of mass with loose electrons.)

http://www.aip.org/history/einstein/emc1.htm
 
Last edited:
Would it be true to say that energy is the emission, or potential emission, of radiation caused by the interaction between particles?
If so then this would be true of matter/matter, antimatter/antimatter or matter/antimatter interactions.
 
Clausius2 said:
I have another similar question:

What do the clouds smell of?


......
Both have similar answers. :smile:

(Maybe they don't understand your sarcastic because that pathetical TVspot is only ours)
 
Microburst said:
What is energy? at it's very core?
Nobody knows.
is matter madeup of energy?
No.

Pete
 
  • #10
Well, a very basic definition of energy goes: ENERGY is the ability to do work. Very primitive to fellows like you who don't suffice with such simplicity. Physicists now believe everything around us is energy (correct me if I'm wrong, please) and matter is just huge density of energy, nothing else.
 
  • #11
Energy is mankind's method to explain how the universe works

(oh, someday someone will include this phrase in a quote book as MINE lol)
 

Similar threads

High School I have a question regarding temperature and the kinetic energy of molecules
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad Identification of changes in internal energy with work (in Callen's Thermodynamics)
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
High School Energy transfer water > air in a greenhouse
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
High School I have a question about energy & ignoring friction losses
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
High School What is Energy? A Clear Definition and Explanation
  • · Replies 43 ·
2
Replies
43
Views
5K
High School Would isolating the Solar System prevent its heat death?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
High School Do Dark Energy and the Casimir effect indicate Exotic Matter could exist?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
Undergrad Resulting temperature of mixed liquids
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
High School Waste-to-energy question (not homework)
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Graduate Beyond the energy equipartition, what is the uneven partitioning?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K