Is energy material or immaterial?

Question

This may sound like a stupid question, but what is the true nature of energy. I mean a wave would be considered immaterial, and it is a transfer of energy. However if energy is immaterial, how can it govern the way material things interact?

Answer 1

It is definitely not a stupid question, but your initial question does have a simple answer. Energy is not matter, so by definition it is not material. Energy can be converted to matter, and matter to energy. The conversion factor is the square of the speed of light.

The 'true nature of energy' defies simple explanation. Thermodynamics says that the amount of energy in a closed system is conserved. Picture a hydrogen atom with its electron orbiting at a higher energy level (quantum number). The energy of this system is best represented by the potential energy of the electron in the electric field surrounding the proton in the nucleus, plus the kinetic energy of the electon's orbital motion. Quantum mechanics tells us that electron can't just decay into a slightly lower orbit like a satellite orbiting earth. Instead, it can only drop into an orbit at the next lower quantum number. That means the length of the electron orbit decreases by exactly one wavelength of the electron's wavefunction. The electron then has less potential energy and less kinetic energy. The only way for this orbit change to happen is for the atom to emit a photon whose energy is exactly the difference between the energies of the two orbits.

Do you call this photon energy or do you call it matter? A scientist who is careful with his words probably won't call it either. It is a 'particle' which mediates the electromagnetic force. It has some properties of a particle and some properties of a wave. It has no rest mass and always travels at the speed of light. If it's moving, it's moving at the speed of light. If it's not moving, it doesn't exist.

A photon can be thought of as a quantum or a packet of energy.

We don't speak of energy as governing the way material things interact. We think in terms of forces. Physical chemistry is the study of properties and interactions of atoms based on the structure of the atoms themselves. As two hydrogen atoms approach, they begin to repel because of the electrostatic repulsion between the two protons. However, once the electrons begin orbiting both nucleii instead of just one, the complete assembly has a lower total energy than the two independent atoms. This is why the H2 molecule forms.

As you study physics, matter, and energy, keep your question in mind. You gradually gain a better understanding of how they work. As you do, you realize more and more that we really don't know what matter and energy are.

Answer 2

An argument can be put that the question posed bears not only upon two 'states' wholly material or material plus immaterial 'spirit'. Why assume that the immaterial element means both the 'mind' and the 'spirit ? Many argue that the brain is the hardware, the mind is the software and the deliberated judgements are the 'spirit'. But then if this is so is instinct part of the 'hard disc' within the system ? What of the comparison between animals and humans, e.g. animals certainly 'have' several of the options ? Consciousness, self-awareness, the subconscious mind, elemental instruction and others ? What then of a greater being, a creator, a guide as to existence ? The mystery of the greater being's purpose or are we just playthings. Then of course there is the numeracy of the thing. Humans possess certain elemental general structures within them but it is likely that a billion, billion dreams and ideas which differ greatly one from the others for every second of every day, ad infinitum. Are there also within this wonderful universe a billion, billion, billion other intelligent species (if we can be so described) where the multiplication factor gains exponentially with every breath you take ? Discuss.

Answer 3

It's immaterial, but it has a material equivalent in matter.

E=mc^2 Matter and energy can be converted. One equals the other when you throw in the speed of light squared.

Matter is energy visible. Energy becomes matter when you throw in space and time. It's all related, just a matter of seeing and understanding how one relates to the other, and that means understanding the conversion factors and constants - light, space and time.

Answer 4

depends on how you think of the term immaterial. light is not *just* a wave, but a particle as well. light has no mass, so you might think of it as immaterial, however it does have momentum and can smack into things and jostle them about.

all matter also shares the wave-particle duality. and we know that matter and energy are related (einsteins most famous equation e=mc^2).

so i dont think that energy could be simply considered to be either material, or immaterial...

Answer 5

Well there is more than one type of energy: Photon energy is material, Potential Energy is Immaterial. Heat energy, Electrical energy, gravational energy..etc

Answer 6

energy is immaterial in one form(wave) and material in another(photon packets).

But enerrgu can also be understood differently depending on what the context is.

Answer 7

energy is the motion of the bodies every type of energy is a kinetic energy for example the thermal energy is from the movements the molecules do that is when you but your hand in a heated air you will feel the heat because the molecules that r moving fast r hitting your hand and your brain explain it as heat............

Answer 8

The definition of energy has eluded me for years. What I can tell you is this: Matter is frozen energy. Energy comes in different forms and reacts in different ways. Examples of energy- kinetic (motion), potential (position), heat and even time is energy, ( time through my whole theory for a loop when I found that one).

Answer 9

your neurons change the energy, in the air and energy that other people emit, into a form of mitochondria in your muscles which enable you to use physical energy like exercising (running, thinking, involintary actions)

I just sounded like a major nerd up there

Answer 10

energy is.. energy. what type of energy do you mean? if you mean potential energy then it is immaterial.

if you mean photons, then they are material.