What is the concept of mass conservation and its implications for human life?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of mass conservation and its implications for human life, exploring theoretical and philosophical connections between the two. Participants engage in clarifying the meaning of mass conservation and its relevance to human existence.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that mass cannot be created or destroyed, prompting questions about its implications for human life.
  • Another participant suggests that the phrase "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" reflects the idea that the total mass remains constant before and after human life.
  • Several participants request further explanation regarding the connections between mass conservation and human life, indicating a desire for deeper understanding.
  • One participant emphasizes that energy, rather than mass, is the conserved quantity in physics, noting that mass can be converted into energy, particularly in nuclear reactions.
  • This participant also mentions that while mass changes in chemical reactions are negligible, the concept of mass conservation can still be accepted as a given.
  • The discussion includes a caution against speculative conjecture, suggesting a preference for grounded reasoning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and interest in the implications of mass conservation, with no clear consensus on the connections to human life. Some seek clarification while others assert different perspectives on the topic.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the relationship between mass conservation and human life, as well as the distinction between mass and energy conservation. The discussion reflects a mix of philosophical inquiry and scientific principles.

bradleyb5155
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If the theory goes, Mass can not be created nor destoryed, what does this mean about human life?
 
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Not much ... ashes to ashes, dust to dust, and if you add it all up you will get the same mass before and after.
 
please explain more in detail
thank you!
 
bradleyb5155 said:
please explain more in detail
thank you!

Maybe if you could say a bit more about the connections that you're thinking of between human life and the conservation of mass? It's not at all clear what you're asking.
 
bradleyb5155 said:
please explain more in detail.
Why don't *you* explain in more detail what you meant by your opening post.

Before you go further, a few points.
  • It's energy, not mass, that is conserved. The fundamental concept that underlies atomic bombs and nuclear power is that mass is a form of energy. Mass can be converted to some other form of energy, and quite a bit of energy.
  • However, the change in mass in a typical chemical reaction is negligibly small. You can pretty much ignore that mass is not a conserved quantity. Let's take it as a given that mass is conserved.
  • We are born small, eat and drink (a lot!), go to the bathroom (a lot!), and grow, but eventually we all die. Nature recycles our mass. That's what Simon meant by "ashes to ashes, dust to dust".

  • One last point. This site is not the place for speculative conjecture. Just don't go there.
 

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