Convert matter to energy and back into matter

AI Thread Summary
Converting matter to energy and back is theoretically possible, but it involves complex processes that differ fundamentally. Matter is not easily quantifiable, complicating discussions about its conversion. Energy remains constant, but matter can change forms, such as when particles like electrons and positrons annihilate to produce massless photons. This process illustrates that while mass can be transformed, the total energy and mass remain conserved. The feasibility of safe and practical matter-energy conversion for travel remains uncertain.
Daark Nova
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Do u think it is possible to convert matter to energy and back into matter the same way without harm?
 
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this could be a good way of travel
 
Daark Nova said:
Do u think it is possible to convert matter to energy and back into matter the same way without harm?
Not exactly, no. They are two quite different things. The term "matter" has always been ill-defined and therefore one can't say if the amount has changed when it can't even be quantified. The amount of energy present at anytime is always constant. What can be done is to change the form of matter that is present from one in which the rest mass of particles is non-zero to that when one form in which the rest mass of some particles is zero. E.g. an electron and positron can anihilate each other producing two photons. The electron and positron each have a finite rest mass while each photon has zero rest mass. However the total energy and the total mass is non-zero and the same after the anihilation as before.

Pete
 

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