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SeReNiTy
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Since energy only exists in quanta, does this mean mass is also quantized according to einstein's famous equation?
Ok the other day i heard they did experiments with a neutron that verified gravitational energy was indeed quantized, hence the neutron at the lowest graviational potential energy existed a certain distance above the ground...now would mass also exist in quantized levels?dextercioby said:Not wrong,just unaware of the fact that a Hamiltonian operator may have a continuous spectrum as well.
Daniel.
dextercioby said:There are tricks with mass generation in the Higgs mechanism,but that's one thing, claiming that mass is quantized (hence attributing a densly defined selfadjoint linear operator to it) is something totally different.
Usually,we see mass as in input parameter in QFT.In GR,we don't have mass,but the energy-momentum 4 tensor.That's the little bit i know.I won't comment on any experiments,it's not my domain.
Daniel.
Huh? Of course we have mass in GR. Mass is fully described by that tensor. Recall what Einstein saidIn GR,we don't have mass,but the energy-momentum 4 tensor.
Mass is not a component of this tensor. One integrates the momentum density over the object whose mass we seek and then we divide by the speed of the object. The result is mass.The special theory of relativity has led to the conclusion that inert mass is nothing more or less than energy, which finds its complete description in a symmetrical tensor of second rank, the energy tensor.
I've seen the term "mass operator" many times. However that kind of thing I never learned and it appears over my head. There is an article on this point atdextercioby said:As i said,there's no QM observable for mass.
dextercioby said:Here's Einstein's equation
[tex] E^{2}=\vec{p}^{2}c^{2}+m^{2}c^{4} [/tex].
As you may have heard,to this equation equation one cannot apply Dirac's quatization scheme (included in the second/quantization postulate),as it would give erroneous results when interpreting 0-th component of the probability current 4-vector.
So it shouldn't have to do with a possible mass quantization.As i said,there's no QM observable for mass.It is an input scalar parameter (or a finite dimensional square matrix,if one refers to quarks or some other particles) and just that.
I don't know what superstring theory has to say on a possible mass quantization.
Daniel.
SeReNiTy said:Ah i see now, so this is the problem why QM cannot merge with GR...
So to unify GR with QM one has to come up with the maths that describes a quantised mass hence a quantised gravity field?
dextercioby said:Why wouldn't space-time be quantized ?
Daniel.
James Jackson said:Surely the HUP is explained by the non commutativity of the two observables, unless, of course, you're looking for a 'deeper' (metaphysical?) explanation.
James Jackson said:Unfortunately for you, QM is theoretical physics. The fact that it explains results with amazing accuracy doesn't make it 'physical'. People often forget that physics is only a model. It doesn't say "The world is like this because physics says so", it actually says "Physics is like this because the world says so". How one attaches physical meaning to the theories is generally the area of philosophy.
Quantization of energy is a concept in physics that states that energy can only exist in discrete, specific amounts. This means that energy cannot take on any value, but rather is limited to certain values or levels.
In the theory of relativity, mass and energy are closely related. The famous equation E=mc² shows that mass and energy are interchangeable and can be converted into one another. This means that the quantization of energy also applies to mass, as they are essentially different forms of the same thing.
Quantization of energy is a fundamental principle in physics that has been confirmed by numerous experiments. It explains many phenomena, such as the discrete energy levels of electrons in atoms and the behavior of photons. It also plays a crucial role in understanding the behavior of matter at a microscopic level.
Yes, quantization of energy is considered a universal law in physics. It applies to all forms of energy, including light, heat, and electromagnetic radiation. It also applies to all types of matter, from subatomic particles to larger objects.
Yes, the effects of quantization of energy can be observed in everyday life. For example, the colors we see are a result of quantized energy levels of light. The functioning of electronic devices, such as computers and smartphones, also relies on the principles of quantization of energy.