Is Matter Really Just Made of Waves?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of matter and its relationship to waves, particularly in the context of light exhibiting both particle and wave characteristics. Participants explore the concept of matter potentially being composed of waves and the historical idea of the Ether, questioning its implications and validity.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion over the dual nature of light as both a particle and a wave, and how this relates to the idea that all matter is made of waves.
  • One participant questions how waves, which are said to have no mass, can cause something with mass, and raises concerns about the testability of this idea.
  • Another participant challenges the validity of the Ether concept, referencing historical experiments that discredited it, such as the Michelson-Morley experiment.
  • There is a suggestion that the discussion may relate to String Theory, although one participant clarifies that the Ether concept predates String Theory.
  • One participant acknowledges the wave-like properties of particles but dismisses the Ether concept, indicating a mix of acceptance and skepticism regarding the ideas presented.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the validity of the Ether concept, with some asserting it has been discredited while others explore its implications. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the relationship between waves and matter.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference historical scientific concepts and experiments, but there are unresolved questions about the implications of waves in the context of mass and energy transfer.

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There's a big debate on wether light is particle or wave. It sometimes ehibits chareteristics of both. If that's not confusing enough there's this new idea on matter.


I heard this guyt alk about it in a lecture. He was saying all matter, electroncs,protons, and neutrons are made out of waves. This wouldn't be so bad accept waves have no mass and waves have to have something to tranfer their energy through.

Then he goes on about something called The Ether. Apparently space itself can have waves or ripples going through it. We and all matter or supposedly those ripples. Us and all matter that is. Myquestion is how can ripples in something with no mass cause something with mass? How can you possibly test or prove it? And how in the hell did whomever come up with that?
 
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The Ether? Who did you hear this all from? Apparently he is unfamiliar with Michelson Morely interferometry. The answer is that there is no ether.
 
Are you talking about String Theory?

If you find you don't get satisfactory answers here, post in the 'Beyond the Standard Model' forum - String Theory probably gets a thorough working over there.

Claude.
 
No The Ether was before String Theory.
 
well, this guy was (possibly) right about the wave-like properties of particles (matter) and the particle-like properties of waves. but not about aether (Ether is this stuff i like to snort).
 

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