What Is Energy: Unveiling the Mystery

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Nano-Passion
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Energy
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion delves into the complex nature of energy, emphasizing that it encompasses various forms such as kinetic, potential, thermal, and electromagnetic energy. Participants explore how energy interacts with space, referencing Einstein's theories on gravitational energy and its effects on spacetime. The conversation highlights the ongoing debate about the true essence of energy, with some contributors arguing that current definitions may oversimplify its complexities. The discussion concludes that while definitions exist, a deeper understanding of energy's interaction with the fabric of space remains elusive.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts such as kinetic energy (KE) and potential energy (PE).
  • Familiarity with Einstein's theory of relativity and the concept of spacetime.
  • Knowledge of electromagnetic theory, particularly the relationship between charge and energy.
  • Basic grasp of quantum mechanics, including the equation E=hf and its implications.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of Einstein's mass-energy equivalence (E=mc²) on modern physics.
  • Explore the concept of energy density and its role in the curvature of spacetime.
  • Investigate the relationship between energy and frequency in quantum mechanics.
  • Study the various forms of energy and their interactions with matter and space.
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, particularly those interested in theoretical physics, energy dynamics, and the fundamental principles governing the universe.

  • #31
Phrak said:
What is your main question as you would now put it?

How the different types of energy interact with space itself. For instance, how does electric energy interact with space?

^^ =]
 
Science news on Phys.org
  • #32
All forms of energy interact with the spacetime curvature tensor per the Einstein field equation. They all contribute to the stress-energy tensor so they are all related to the curvature.
 
  • #33
I share Nano-Passion's confusion. Yes, energy is the ability to do work. But how is that work actually done. We see work being done by changes in matter. Parameters of matter such as shape, motion, temperture and densisty all change in response to energy. Something as simple a two objects in a collision stops being simple once you ask why does the collision work as it does? The question makes sense to me, however I have no answer.
 
  • #34
The mechanics of a collisions are very complicated, but that's not because energy is complicated. Any collision beyond assumed ideal objects gets complicated because they deal with complex structures and properties of materials.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Understanding the concept of energy
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Undergrad Is the energy of this system conserved?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Undergrad How to understand experiment to measure heat capacity of solid?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Simple thought experiment with Stefan-Boltzmann law: energy
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
791
Undergrad How to measure average thermal conductivity of a metallic material?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Is low entropy found in something very hot?
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
3K
Undergrad Extremely strange consequence of the speed of heat value
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
Undergrad Joule-Thomson Effect: Explaining Qualitatively
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
14K
Undergrad Is the Poynting Vector Field the Only Factor in Energy Flow in Circuits?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
Undergrad Potential energy and the gravitational field of a collapsing cloud of gas
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K