Binding Energy makes life possible. Do you agree?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of binding energy and its significance in the existence of life and the universe. Participants explore various perspectives on the implications of binding energy, its role in atomic structure, and the broader philosophical questions surrounding existence and the nature of the universe.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Ali presents the idea that binding energy is fundamental to existence, as suggested by their teacher, a PhD in Nuclear Physics.
  • Tachyon argues against the notion that life could not exist without binding energy, suggesting that alternative forms of life could arise under different conditions.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the relevance of claiming that without binding energy, existence would not be possible, indicating that many factors contribute to the universe's structure.
  • There is a discussion about the accuracy of language used in describing binding energy and its relationship to binding force, with some participants noting confusion over the terms.
  • One participant questions the validity of the claim that without binding energy, atoms would not hold together, suggesting that the argument is overly simplistic.
  • Another participant points out that while binding energy is important, the assertion that it is the sole reason for existence is misleading, as many other elements of the universe would still remain.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views, with no consensus reached on the significance of binding energy in relation to existence. Some participants agree with Ali's perspective, while others challenge the relevance and implications of the claim.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in the arguments presented, including potential oversimplifications and the need for more precise language regarding binding energy and binding force. There is also mention of the complexity of discussing existence in relation to various physical forces.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring the philosophical implications of physics, students learning about atomic structure, and individuals curious about the interplay between fundamental forces and the nature of existence.

itisali
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Hi

My teacher told me that its because of binding energy that we and everything around us exist. I have presented this viewpoint in my blog: http://hubpages.com/hub/The-energy-responsible-for-our-existence---BINDING-ENERGY"

Please visit it and give comments.

If you find mistakes please do inform me.

Waiting for your response.

Thanks

Ali
 
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I hate this "without this the life wouldn't exist". The universe is the way it is, our planet is the way it is. If there was no water on our planet, mabye there would be life forms based not on water but on something else, if there was no binding energy, then there would be completely different universe. Who cares? You can't have infinite number of forces, objects, laws and what not about which you could claim that without it we wouldn't exist. Its just irrelevant.
But that's nothing against your article particulary, actually I like it, its nice to see people actually care about what theyre doing.

Tachyon.
 
Thanks for the response. I have just presented my teacher's idea who is a PhD in Nuclear Physics. I am not trying to belittle you or anyone else. You may as well be a PhD in Physics.

I just liked the idea and presented in the form of article.
 
Tachyonie said:
I hate this "without this the life wouldn't exist". The universe is the way it is, our planet is the way it is. If there was no water on our planet, mabye there would be life forms based not on water but on something else, if there was no binding energy, then there would be completely different universe. Who cares? You can't have infinite number of forces, objects, laws and what not about which you could claim that without it we wouldn't exist. Its just irrelevant.
But that's nothing against your article particulary, actually I like it, its nice to see people actually care about what theyre doing.

Tachyon.

what he said. +1
 
There are a lot of things, which "if they weren't there", would make things completely different. The tiny percentage of noble gases for instance, in the air - if they weren't there, we'd probably still be in the dark ages.

*gets coat*[/size]
 
I think this is an even more generic and fallacious statement than some others posted.

It amounts to saying... "Without the means of forming the consituents of matter, the the constituents of matter would not have formed."
 
to dst:

I am talking about the most fundamental "if they weren't there"
 
itisali said:
to dst:

I am talking about the most fundamental "if they weren't there"

Yes but what's the point really? Anyone capable of understanding the level of physics youre talking about also knows that this all *without thing X we wouldn't exist* is just a fillup line to put in BBC documents about black holes and star trek.
I find it caluable for 14 years old students as a way to learn about the strong nuclear force, but as a way of showing "without this, universe wouldn't exist" it fails.

Tachyon.
 
to Tach

Ok Tach. You tell me if it hadn't been for the binding energy what would have kept atoms from tearing apart?
 
  • #10
itisali said:
to Tach

Ok Tach. You tell me if it hadn't been for the binding energy what would have kept atoms from tearing apart?

You didnt get my point. I am not saying that this particular force is neglectable. However trying to persuade everyone that without this force you wouldn't exist, is kind of waste of time really...

Tachyon.
 
  • #12
Well I won't argue about it anymore, I made my point loud and clear and obviously I won't persuade you so feel free to continue :) Oh and if you want to improve your article you might want to think about accuracy a bit more, for example instead of using zillions of atoms you can use more accurate estimate - 10 with 70 zeros after it :)
Also you wouldn't want to draw protons and neutrons separated. As you said yourself, the electrostatic repulsion repel the protons from each other and they want to be as far as possible from each other, therefor they would kinda "mix" in between the neutrons.

Tachyon.
 
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  • #13
itisali said:
My teacher told me that its because of binding energy that we and everything around us exist.
"Everything" it's not correct. There would still be a lot of things: space, time, energy, mass, charge, elementary particles, movement...
 
  • #14
I read the article and was somewhat disconcerted with the new attributions of force and energy. The author started out on strong footing including the term binding energy for which he or she was supposed to bring relief to the reader. The abrupt switch between binding energy and binding force, threw me off for a posteriori. However I mentally concluded that our narrator would complete my journey by explaining the tie in between binding force and binding energy for those of us who are more accustomed to hearing mass and energy being used interchangeably.

So I would then puzzle whether it is a force that matters or energy at resonant frequencies?
 

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