What is the relationship between mass, energy, and acceleration?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the relationship between mass, energy, and acceleration, exploring theoretical concepts and interpretations from various perspectives. Participants delve into the origins of mass, the nature of energy, and the implications of field theory, with references to the Big Bang and quantum fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the origins of mass and energy, suggesting that mass may arise from fluctuations in fields, with energy being a product of these forces.
  • One participant proposes that mass is a potential that can cause acceleration, likening it to a wall that can accelerate an object upon contact.
  • Another viewpoint suggests that acceleration and potential are products of mass, indicating a possible disagreement on the relationship between these concepts.
  • There is mention of the Big Bang theory and hypotheses regarding the emergence of matter and antimatter from the void, though the probability of such events is considered low.
  • Participants express uncertainty about the specific masses of fundamental particles like electrons and protons, noting that the study of quantum fields and strings is still developing.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether mass is the source of acceleration and potential or if these arise from mass. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing interpretations present.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge that the exact physics behind mass and energy relationships are not fully understood, and there are limitations in current theories regarding quantum fields and fundamental particles.

ax3111
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I've asked all of my teachers where mass comes from, like what causes things to be "massive" and all that. I know something has mass when it has energy blah blah blah but like, why do things have energy then?
 
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ax3111 said:
I've asked all of my teachers where mass comes from, like what causes things to be "massive" and all that. I know something has mass when it has energy blah blah blah but like, why do things have energy then?

From what I have read... from void you could end up having matter and anti-matter to pop-up! The probability is extremely low.. but not zero.

For the big bang theory, there is various hypothesis being made about it.
 
Mass is a product of fluctuations in fields according to current field theory. The more rapidly a field oscillates the more dense the field is per unit volume, more energy which we perceive as mass.

It is a persistent illusion.
 
so basically all energy comes from the forces? And with that all mass comes from the forces?
 
ax3111 said:
so basically all energy comes from the forces? And with that all mass comes from the forces?

What is mass? It is a potential, like a wall in your living room, it has potential, the potential to accelerate something, like a ball thrown at it, which accelerates when it comes in contact with it.

Fluctuations in fields have the potential to accelerate another field, the fields that make up the ball. This is what it boils down to in an elementary way. Though the exact physics are not available yet.

For example it is not fully understood why the particles such as the electron and proton have the specific masses that they have. The study of quantum fields and "strings" is still theory, it is still in the works and there is much we do not understand about the fundamental universe.
 
okat but from my understanding, acceleration and "potential" to do anything is a product of mass. These things come from mass, not the other way around, or am I wrong?
 
ax3111 said:
okat but from my understanding, acceleration and "potential" to do anything is a product of mass. These things come from mass, not the other way around, or am I wrong?

I would say it is the other way around. We, as humans, may have defined mass first as it is a classical point of view.

More correctly I would say that there is no order involved. (E = m = a) in any order you want.
 
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