Can energy and mass be created or transformed in the universe?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concepts of energy and mass creation and transformation within the universe, specifically referencing the conservation laws of mass and energy. Participants explore how photons can transform into particle-antiparticle pairs, effectively converting their energy into rest mass. The conversation also touches on the invariance of relativistic mass for light traveling at the speed of light (c) across different reference frames, raising questions about mass conservation during particle annihilation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the conservation of mass and energy principles
  • Familiarity with particle physics concepts, including particle-antiparticle pairs
  • Knowledge of relativistic mass and its implications in different reference frames
  • Basic grasp of quantum mechanics and photon behavior
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of Einstein's mass-energy equivalence (E=mc²)
  • Explore the concept of particle-antiparticle annihilation and its effects on mass
  • Study the behavior of photons and their role in quantum field theory
  • Investigate the principles of relativistic mass and its relevance in modern physics
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of physics, and anyone interested in the fundamental principles of energy and mass in the universe.

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Can energy/mass be created? If doesn't, how has it come to exist? If does, how can it be achieved?
 
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Is invariant mass always conserved? I mean, if you have a particle and anti particle annihilate won't you be left with relativistic mass only now?

As far as I can tell, you can have a ton of photons with some energy in the same place then they can 'transform' into a particle-anti particle pair which in turn transforms their relativistic mass into the rest mass of the particles... Right?

Also, since light always travels at c does it not always have the same relativistic mass in every reference frame?

Sorry for random questions and not helping.
 

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