Physics Definition: Matter, Energy, & Relativity

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the definition of physics, particularly in relation to matter, energy, and the implications of special relativity. Participants explore the nature of physics as a science and its conceptual foundations, including the relationship between definitions and observed phenomena.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether the definition of physics as "the science of matter and energy and of interactions between the two" is redundant in the context of special relativity.
  • One participant offers a perspective that physics is a human fabrication aimed at explaining sense perceptions through experimentation, emphasizing the interaction between the mind and formulated ideas.
  • Another participant counters this view by asserting that these concepts are merely descriptions of real phenomena observed in nature, advocating for a universal language of terminology.
  • Some participants argue that there is an effective difference between mass and energy, particularly noting that light has no rest mass, which complicates the relationship between the two.
  • A later reply references modern definitions of mass, suggesting that mass is defined as invariant mass, which is more useful for calculations, and emphasizes that mass is independent of velocity while energy is not.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definition of physics and the implications of special relativity, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of mass and energy, and the discussion reflects varying interpretations of how these concepts relate to the nature of physics.

bernhard.rothenstein
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I find the following definition of physics
The science of matter and energy and of interactions between the two
Is the definition redundant in special relativity?
sine ira ey studio
 
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I would define physics more as, human fabricated concepts used to explain our sense perception with experiment. So i would say its the interaction between the functioning of the mind and ideas formulated to explain the phenomena we perceive as being real.
 
QuantumKing said:
I would define physics more as, human fabricated concepts used to explain our sense perception with experiment. So i would say its the interaction between the functioning of the mind and ideas formulated to explain the phenomena we perceive as being real.
Seems like a dreary definition to me. These so-called "human fabricated concpets" are mere descriptions to real phenomena which is observed in nature. As with all things in nature we give them names so as to create a universal language of terminology so that we're all on the same page.

Pete
 
pmb_phy said:
Seems like a dreary definition to me. These so-called "human fabricated concpets" are mere descriptions to real phenomena which is observed in nature. As with all things in nature we give them names so as to create a universal language of terminology so that we're all on the same page.

Pete
but what about the redundance in the wikipedia definition of physics?
 
bernhard.rothenstein said:
I find the following definition of physics
The science of matter and energy and of interactions between the two
Is the definition redundant in special relativity?
sine ira ey studio
I would say no, because light has no rest mass, for example, so there is an effective difference between mass and energy.
 
lightarrow said:
I would say no, because light has no rest mass, for example, so there is an effective difference between mass and energy.
It depends :smile:
See for instance http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/SR/light_mass.html"
 
Last edited by a moderator:
MeJennifer said:
It depends :
See for instance http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/SR/light_mass.html"
Yes, I know, but, there, it also say:
However, modern usage defines mass as the invariant mass of an object mainly because the invariant mass is more useful when doing any kind of calculation... In the modern view mass is not equivalent to energy. It is just that part of the energy of a body which is not kinetic energy. Mass is independent of velocity whereas energy is not.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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