Can energy exist without matter (or particles of any kind)?

Answer 1

Interesting question, once enery is created it does not NEED to have matter to exist. But to measure it,the energy must react with matter in some form. seems like the 'if a tree falls in the forest' type of situation.
cheers

Answer 2

Energy and matter are the same thing. They are related by E=MC^2. In fact, matter is a condensed form of energy, just like ice is a condesned form of water. When the Uniresity first started, it had nothing but pure energy. When it expanded and cooled subatomic particles formed. After further cooling, the subatomic particles combine to form about 75% hydrogen and 25% helium with traces of other materials. The total amount of enery has not changed since the beginning of the universe.

Answer 3

Yes, look up zero-point energy:
"In quantum field theory, it is a synonym for the vacuum energy, an amount of energy associated with the vacuum of empty space."

This discussion will always regress into what counts as a particle and what doesn't, but if I understand your question correctly, even a gravity wave would be applicable because one can argue that that is energy stored in space-time not particles.

Answer 4

Thermal energy - no, because it is the kinetic energy of particles.
Chemical energy - no, because it's the bonding energy within molecules.
Nuclear energy - no, because it's the bonding energy within the nucleus.
Electromagnetic energy - yes and no, because the photon is called a particle
Gravitational potential energy - yes and no. It originates as a property of matter, but it is not influenced by matter. You can't shield it. If it turns out that it is mediated by the graviton, it still doesn't count because it's a virtual particle.
Zero point energy - that probably is yes.

Answer 5

It depends on if you want to believe in the latest "unifying theory" of physics called "String Theory" which combines Einstein's General Theory of Relativity" with that of "Quantum Mechanics".

In essence the basis of "String Theory" hold that the smallest particles in the universe are small (very small) strings or loops that are pure energy but have no mass. They are the basis of everything that's in the universe...all of it including you and me.

Just how small are we talking about? Well if you compared a single string with the entire UNIVERSE a string would be the size of a tree. The problem is that string theory can not be proved, as there is nothing that can see or measure something that small, and besides these strings supposedly have no mass...just pure energy.

Pretty cool huh?

Answer 6

THe famous equation goes e=mc2, which basically means that energy is directly derived from matter. So, in ure question, if m = 0, then e = 0, so energy cannot exist without matter

Answer 7

If you consider the photon to be a particle (since it does behave like a particle when it feels like it...) then no.

Answer 8

Electromagnetic fields and light, for example, although they were originated by matter and their energy becomes apparent only when they strike other matter.