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

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of energy, questioning whether it can be considered a fundamental substance or merely a property of objects. Participants explore theoretical implications, definitions, and the relationship between energy and matter.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that energy is a property of objects or systems, suggesting it serves as a tool for description and prediction rather than an intrinsic substance.
  • Others argue that energy and matter are fundamentally the same, although this view is contested by those who see energy as a property of matter.
  • A participant notes that energy is computed by an observer, indicating a perspective that energy may not exist independently of observation.
  • There is a discussion about photons, with some asserting they are bits of energy, while others clarify that photons are excitations of the electromagnetic field with multiple properties, including energy.
  • One participant mentions the uncertainty surrounding dark matter and energy, suggesting that current understanding may evolve with new discoveries.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the nature of energy and its relationship to matter. The discussion remains unresolved, with differing interpretations and definitions presented.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include varying definitions of energy and matter, the dependence on observer perspectives, and the unresolved nature of dark matter and energy in current scientific understanding.

Bradfordly1
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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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