Einstein on Matter & Energy: Debunking Misconceptions

In summary, Albert Einstein states that the concept of matter is actually energy with a lowered vibration that can be perceived by our senses. He also mentions that special laboratory setups are needed to observe the wave-like behavior of matter. However, there is speculation that this quote may be fake and is often attributed to other individuals.
  • #1
Rajkovic
64
0
“Concerning matter, we have been all wrong. What we have called matter is energy, whose vibration has been so lowered as to be perceptible to the senses. There is no matter.”
Albert Einstein

Einstein really said that? Or It's another fake quote from him in the internet?
 
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  • #2
No idea, but it's not wrong to think of matter as a really compact form of energy.

Also, you do have to have special laboratory setups to see the wave-like behavior of matter. For the deBroglie wavelength to be long enough to create interference large enough to see, the matter has to be really cold (say, for neutron diffraction)
 
  • #3
Considering that this only shows up in newage (rhymes with "sewage") web sites, and is attributed to Tesla almost as often as to Einstein, I think it's quite likely fake.
 

1. What are some common misconceptions about Einstein's theories of matter and energy?

One common misconception is that Einstein's famous equation, E=mc², means that matter can be converted into pure energy. In reality, the equation shows that matter and energy are two forms of the same thing and can be converted into each other under certain conditions.

2. Did Einstein actually believe in the existence of atoms?

Yes, Einstein was a firm believer in the existence of atoms and their role in explaining the properties of matter. In fact, his work on Brownian motion provided strong evidence for the existence of atoms.

3. Is it true that Einstein's theories only apply to large-scale objects and not to the microscopic world?

No, Einstein's theories of relativity and quantum mechanics have been successfully applied to both macroscopic and microscopic systems. In fact, his theories have been crucial in our understanding of the fundamental building blocks of matter.

4. Did Einstein's theories completely replace Newton's laws of motion?

No, Einstein's theories of relativity did not replace Newton's laws of motion. Instead, they expanded upon them and provided a more complete understanding of how matter and energy behave in the universe.

5. How did Einstein's theories impact our understanding of the universe?

Einstein's theories of relativity revolutionized our understanding of the universe by showing that space and time are not absolute, but are intertwined and can be affected by the presence of matter and energy. His work also paved the way for further advancements in physics and cosmology.

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