What is Mass? Understanding the Concept and Implications in Physics

[SeventhSigma]

I am wondering if anyone with a decent understanding of ST or QM/relativity can answer this one.

We know that mass-energy equivalence states that mass and energy are different forms of the same thing, but I am curious what that "thing" is? When the Big Bang occurred, for instance, what caused the enormous energy density to begin forming things like quarks/bosons/things with mass to begin with? I'm trying to understand what exactly mass IS.

I understand that this is one of those "simple questions with huge implications" questions, and I know that asking "why"/certain "what" questions, for instance, usually lead to more and more "why" questions until we ultimately have to stop and say "Alright, I'm satisfied and have to simply accept that last bit as true." Nevertheless, any further education/elucidation on this question would be appreciated.

 

[mquirce]

I am very curious about your thread and was eager to know any explanation from people that are profesinal. As the time is gouing and nobody does not want to help , let make a conversation about topic.
I have calculated the energies of a imaginary Planck particle and have found that all laws of physics gafhjghjghjghjghjghgjghve the same value, exept Coulomb because Planck charge differs from "e".
What make me to meditate is the fact that in this imaginary particle "mass" is the same as the energy:
Mpl. = G*Mpl.^2 / Lpl*C^2 which is the unique and different from the outcome for common particles. This led me in the idea that maybe Mpl. is particle of "mass" but in the same time is particle of "mater". So maybe this is the brick of "mass" and the mass of common particles is nothing else but a copycat of imaginary Planck particle, with the only difference in the radius which for common particles is Compton radius. For example:
energy of electron is Ee = G*Mpl.^2 / re Here re is Compton classic radius.
This presupose that particle of mater (now Planck particle) is the brick of every common particle for billding mass of common particlers.But for this the notion of mater and mass must chage.
Sorry if you find stupid idea, but i think is beter than nothing.

 

[ZapperZ]

I am wondering if anyone with a decent understanding of ST or QM/relativity can answer this one.

We know that mass-energy equivalence states that mass and energy are different forms of the same thing, but I am curious what that "thing" is? When the Big Bang occurred, for instance, what caused the enormous energy density to begin forming things like quarks/bosons/things with mass to begin with? I'm trying to understand what exactly mass IS.

I understand that this is one of those "simple questions with huge implications" questions, and I know that asking "why"/certain "what" questions, for instance, usually lead to more and more "why" questions until we ultimately have to stop and say "Alright, I'm satisfied and have to simply accept that last bit as true." Nevertheless, any further education/elucidation on this question would be appreciated.

I would suggest that you read this:

http://arxiv.org/abs/1103.6281

Zz.