The discussion centers on the principle of conservation of matter, specifically addressing whether matter can be created or destroyed. Participants clarify that while matter can change forms, such as in trees absorbing carbon dioxide and water to grow, it is not created or destroyed in closed systems. However, in nuclear reactions, such as those in particle accelerators and nuclear reactors, matter can be converted to energy, as described by Einstein's equation E=mc². The conversation also touches on the nuances of matter versus mass, particularly in the context of black holes and particle collisions.
PREREQUISITESPhysicists, students of physics, and anyone interested in the fundamental principles of matter and energy, particularly in the context of nuclear physics and cosmology.
Dale said:By “matter” I mean the fermions of the Standard Model and by destroyed I mean that the Feynman diagrams for the interaction has the fermion entering but not leaving.
Thanks! I also recognize that there are other possible definitionsPeterDonis said:This is a good precise definition, yes.
Dale said:By “matter” I mean the fermions of the Standard Model and by destroyed I mean that the Feynman diagrams for the interaction has the fermion entering but not leaving.
Vanadium 50 said:conservation of angular momentum prevents the sort of processes you are describing.
PeterDonis said:Whether matter can be destroyed depends on what you mean by "matter" and what you mean by "destroyed".
Outhouse said:They are almost weasel words when exact context is not nailed down