- #31
vroom
- 4
- 0
can't one interpret mass, simply as a proportionality constant, in a sense the cause for inertia. ( that's inertial mass )
Unravelling the Concept of Mass
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the concept of mass, exploring its definition, implications, and the relationship between mass and other physical properties. Participants question the meaning of mass as "the amount of substance" and seek clarity on how mass can be compared across different materials, such as butter and platinum-iridium alloy. The conversation touches on theoretical, conceptual, and philosophical aspects of mass.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Conceptual clarification
- Debate/contested
- Technical explanation
Main Points Raised
- Some participants question the definition of mass as "the amount of substance," asking how this can be quantified and compared across different materials.
- One participant suggests that the mass of a glob of atoms is simply the mass of a single atom multiplied by the number of atoms, implying that butter and platinum consist of the same fundamental building blocks.
- Another participant proposes an analogy comparing mass to energy, suggesting a proportional relationship but acknowledges uncertainty in this analogy.
- Some participants discuss the relationship between mass, force, and acceleration, raising questions about the necessity of time in these concepts.
- One participant introduces the idea that mass is related to resistance to the Higgs field, prompting further inquiry into the nature of mass.
- Another participant emphasizes the complexity of defining mass when considering advanced topics like energy conversion and field theory, suggesting that a satisfactory answer requires a deeper understanding of physics.
- There is a discussion about whether the total mass of protons and neutrons in 1 kg of butter is equivalent to that in 1 kg of platinum-iridium alloy, with some participants asserting that both interpretations are valid.
- One participant critiques the notion of mass as "the amount of stuff," arguing that this raises further questions about the definitions of "stuff" and "amount."
- Another participant states that mass is the property of matter that gives it momentum, indicating a relationship between mass and motion.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a range of views on the definition and implications of mass, with no clear consensus reached. Some agree on certain aspects of mass's relationship to fundamental particles, while others challenge the adequacy of common definitions and analogies.
Contextual Notes
The discussion highlights the limitations of definitions and the complexity of the concept of mass, particularly when considering different contexts such as chemistry and advanced physics. Participants acknowledge the need for a solid understanding of underlying principles to engage with deeper questions about mass.
- #32
tehno
- 375
- 0
I believe they still know nothing about Higgs field & particles.DaveC426913 said:
existence included
- #33
lalbatros
- 1,247
- 2
Would it not simply be a singularity of the gravitational field?
Like the electric charge is a singularity of the EM field.
With one marked difference, maybe: can we rule out the possibility that the nonlinearities in the gravitational physics could produce these singularities spontaneously? For the EM this is obviously excluded because of the linerarity.
Like the electric charge is a singularity of the EM field.
With one marked difference, maybe: can we rule out the possibility that the nonlinearities in the gravitational physics could produce these singularities spontaneously? For the EM this is obviously excluded because of the linerarity.
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