# What exactly is matter?

• B
I mean on a deeper more fundamental level. In my mind I've always had the idea that the universe is like a set of strings. Matter being knots and entanglements in those strings, and energy being vibrations on it.

Thoughts on this?

Matter is just excitations of specific fields. Electrons are excitations of the electron field, quarks are excitations of the quark field, etc.

I tried reading some of it but it seems to get really complicated fast. Is there a simpler definition for a field?

bhobba
Mentor
I tried reading some of it but it seems to get really complicated fast. Is there a simpler definition for a field?

Trouble is the question you asked only has an answer using advanced math. At your level, and not entirely correct, the following book is understandable at the beginning level:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0473179768/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Thanks
Bill

Nugatory
Mentor
There's not much we can do with this question except to suggest some areas for further reading. We've done that so this thread is closed.