Does a rock's gravity indicate potential energy and atomic bonds?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between a rock's gravity, its potential energy, and atomic bonds. Participants explore various forms of energy associated with a rock, including gravitational potential energy, chemical energy, and rest energy, while questioning the conceptual framework of these ideas.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that a rock possesses gravitational potential energy due to its mass and position in a gravitational field.
  • Others argue that a rock contains energy in various forms, including chemical energy from atomic bonds and potentially electrical energy if charged.
  • A participant questions the validity of stating that a rock has gravity, suggesting that the concept of potential energy is more about the rock-Earth system rather than the rock itself.
  • There is a suggestion that gravitational force is better understood through space-time geometry rather than atomic bonds, indicating a divergence in conceptual understanding.
  • One participant expresses confusion about the original question, indicating a lack of clarity in the discussion's premise.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of energy associated with a rock, with some agreeing on the existence of various energy forms while others contest the framing of gravity and potential energy. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the definitions and assumptions regarding potential energy and the relationship between gravity and atomic bonds, which are not fully explored or agreed upon by participants.

physicsx0rz
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Since a rock has gravity, doesn't a rock have energy within it? Are there bonds caused by energy at the atomic level within a rock?
 
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A rock has energy in several ways. Assuming it's sitting still, a rock may have gravitational potential energy because of gravity pulling on it. It has energy stored in the chemical bonds in the molecules of the rock. Also, if the rock has some charge on it(its a possibility), it could have electrical potential energy if it was in an electric field. Then of course there is the rest energy of the rock. According to relativity(E=mc^2), the rock has some energy just by being massive.

So, yes! The rock has energy stored in many different ways.
 
Thank you.
 
physicsx0rz said:
Since a rock has gravity, doesn't a rock have energy within it? Are there bonds caused by energy at the atomic level within a rock?

It has no sense in saying that a rock has gravity...

Because of gravitational attraction between the Earth and the rock, the rock-earth system has a potential energy. The work done is achieving this potential energy is the negative of the potential energy.

The matter of potential energy is merely a definition, you won't find the "energy" as a perceivable quantity but physicists define the rock-earth system as having potential energy in the sense that work done can be achieved through the utilization of this energy..

And as for the "bonds cause by energy at the atomic level within a rock" , if you are still referring to the gravitation attraction or the potential energy of the rock-earth system, it has absolutely nothing to do with gravity or "the gravity the rock has". Gravitational force is better explained in terms of space-time geometry rather than "bonds at the atomic level" , which I won't delve into here..

Actually, I don't really understand your question at all, or that you had been seriouly misconceived by what you say as "Since a rock has gravity" ...

Correct me if I am wrong anyone.. :D
 

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