What's The Matter?...

[qzzq]

What is matter? Immediately after the Big Bang, there was no matter, only energy. Then somehow particles formed from energy. What happened? Is matter just energy in a different form? Condensed energy somehow? Are what we see as solid just high energy concentrations? How does energy transform into matter? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p>***</p> </div>

 

[kmarinas86]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_bang_nucleosynthesis

 

[qzzq]

Cheers for the link Marinas. Right now, baryogenesis is giving me a headache. Truly fascinating though. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p>***</p> </div>

 

[aetherius]

<font color="yellow">Space is empty. </font><br /><br />There was nothing before the universe existed.<br />If the universe grew from an initial condition to its current state then space must be something.<br /><br />It can be empty or it can be full or any state in between.<br /><br />Does space permeate everything?<br />Or, does space surround everything but not permeate it?<br />

 

[emperor_of_localgroup]

"When particles are accelerated, they gain energy and if they decay or contact other matter, they will give rise to many more kinds of particles of matter, far more than just the mass found in the rest particle which was accelerated. "<br /><br />I'm not sure if this statement supposed to mean matter is created from energy. This is well known in nuclear physics total mass of contituent particles is larger than the mass of the single particle they form. This happens becuase some mass is used up as binding energy. <br /><br />And energetic gamma rays produce electron/positron. Are these electron/positron stable? or disappear immediately? And is gamma photon a pure energy or already a particle? This probably debatable. I know we are far away from the day when we'll be able to create a proton or a neutron from any form of energy.<br /><br />My own personal guess is the energy which formed this matters is different from the types of energy we have discovered so far. <br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="2" color="#ff0000"><strong>Earth is Boring</strong></font> </div>

 

[iron_sun_254]

<font color="yellow">I know we are far away from the day when we'll be able to create a proton or a neutron from any form of energy. </font><br /><br />Actually, we can do that now. By smashing particles together with enough energy, some of the energy is converted into proton/anti-proton pairs.

 

[newtonian]

qzzq - Matter and energy are linked. Energy can create matter and did at the origin of our universe.<br /><br />"Energy changes into matter when subatomic particles collide at high speeds and create new, heavier particles," explains The World Book Encyclopedia. Scientists accomplish this on a limited scale using huge machines called particle accelerators, in which subatomic particles collide at fantastic speeds, creating matter. "We're repeating one of the miracles of the universe-transforming energy into matter," explains Nobel laureate physicist Dr. Carlo Rubbia.<br /><br />'True,' one may say, 'but what does this have to do with the record of creation that I can read in the Bible?' Well, the Bible is not a scientific textbook as such, yet it has proved to be up-to-date and in harmony with scientific facts. From beginning to end, the Bible points to the One who created all the matter in the universe, the Scientist. (Nehemiah 9:6; Acts 4:24; Revelation 4:11) And it clearly shows the relationship between energy and matter.<br /><br />For example, the Bible invites readers to do this: "Raise your eyes high up and see. Who has created these things? It is the One who is bringing forth the army of them even by number, all of whom he calls even by name. Due to the abundance of dynamic energy, he also being vigorous in power, not one of them is missing." (Isaiah 40:26) Yes, the Bible is saying that a source of tremendous dynamic energy-the Creator-caused the material universe to come into existence."<br /> - "Is There a Creator who cares about You?", 1998, pp, 90, 91<br /><br />Can you imagine how much energy went into the creation of all the matter in the universe???

 

[qzzq]

<i>Matter is compressed space.</i><br /><br />Perhaps energy is compressed space and matter is compressed energy, which makes matter compressed space in a way, so I guess you could be right. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p>***</p> </div>

 

[i_think]

ranur, do you think that the law of conservation applies to space? Perhaps matter, energy, and space must be conserved overall?<br />

 

[qzzq]

Newtonian,<br /><br />Thanks for the input.<br /><br /><i>Can you imagine how much energy went into the creation of all the matter in the universe???</i><br /><br />I doubt anyone could seriously claim to comprehend that. <br /><br />BTW, Isaiah 40:26 (New International Version): <ul type="square">26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.</ul>Slightly more vague than your translation. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p>***</p> </div>

 

[i_think]

ranur, thanks for your reply. I thought that if matter/energy must be conserved, why not space too, yet it expands! btw, I'm not trying to state a position, just my thought process, and you seem to be the right person to ask a question about such things.<br /><br />If the photon loses energy due to the expansion of space, could that mean that somehow the lost energy=space created and conservation is upheld? Sorry if that's a stupid question!<br /><br />I don't necessarily think that space is nothing, but if it was nothing, and simply created by the expanding fields of matter, would that leave us with conservation of matter/energy and space? Or am I wrong to assume that space must also be conserved? Any insight would be appreciated, I'm just trying to learn. Thanks again!