Undergrad Energy: What is it? Can Objects Be Made of It?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the nature of energy, specifically whether it can be considered a fundamental substance or merely a property of objects. Participants assert that energy is a quantity computed by observers and not an intrinsic property of matter. The conversation highlights the distinction between energy and matter, emphasizing that while energy can describe interactions and predict outcomes, it does not exist independently. Additionally, the role of photons is clarified as excitations of the electromagnetic field, possessing multiple properties beyond just energy.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, particularly energy and matter.
  • Familiarity with the electromagnetic field and its properties.
  • Knowledge of observational measurement in physics.
  • Awareness of current scientific discussions surrounding dark matter and energy.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of energy conservation and its implications in physics.
  • Explore the relationship between matter and energy as described by Einstein's theory of relativity.
  • Investigate the properties of photons and their role in quantum mechanics.
  • Study current theories and discoveries related to dark matter and dark energy.
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators in the field, and anyone interested in the foundational concepts of energy and matter in scientific discourse.

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Can something be made up of energy? Or is energy ONLY just a property of objects?
 
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Bradfordly1 said:
Can something be made up of energy? Or is energy ONLY just a property of objects?
Energy is a quantity computed by an observer, not an intrinsic property of objects or a material.
 
Energy is a property of an object or a system of objects. Some think of it as merely "bookkeeping", meaning that energy is something that we use to help us describe the world around us and make useful predictions, but that it isn't something in and of itself. That it doesn't "really" exist.

My signature has an amusing anecdote on this very topic. Thanks go to @OmCheeto for it.
 
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As far as I know matter and energy are the same thing. And energy can neither be created nor destroyed. But scientists don't know a lot about dark matter or energy. So energy always exists. But facts can change if they know more about dark matter or energy .
 
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Aren't photons bits of energy?
 
mathman said:
Aren't photons bits of energy?
No, they are excitations of the electromagnetic field and have several properties, only one of which is energy.
 

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