Physics Week 4: Energy, Matter & the Four Forces
The use of terms like "force" and "energy" seem just as commonplace in our every day experience as they do etherial. But there are factors at play with every move we make, seen and unseen, that are vastly under appreciated by the average person.
Take energy for instance. Since it does not generally take a form that we can observe, it can be thought of as abstract. "Can you feel my Energy, man?" However, Einstein brought to light the notion that energy and matter are in fact two sides of the same coin in his formula E=mc2. Energy can actually be measured by multiplying mass by the speed of light. This also implies that all objects which have mass, also inherintly have energy. However, Objects at rest have less mass then those with generated energy (moving), which demonstrates that energy is undoubtedly tangible. An egg timer at rest therefor has less total energy then one that is measuring time. Tick! Tick!
All objects with mass, are also impacted by the Force of Gravity. This well know force pulls us (and all other particles with mass) towards the earth's center, impacting the ocean's tides and other surrounding planets. Our incredible bodies are built to exist in conjunction with the force of gravity. For example, we notices the benefits of gravity in the stimulation of growth in our bones. Wight bearing activity stimulates osteoblasts to promote bone growth and since weight is directly dependent on the force of gravity, our our bones would eventually deteriorate without it. Even the most youthful, physically fit astronauts have been seen to develop osteoporosis when left in space for long periods of time.
Though we depend greatly on gravity's pull, we also deteriorate on its behalf. In utero we are submerged in liquid, protected for gravitational pull as to promote optimal development. We are born with kyphotic spines that look like one large C. Slowly, as we learn to crawl and eventually walk, the forces of gravity causes our spines to reshape to safely bear the weight of our rather large noggins. Our muscles, bones and internal fluids helps protect our fragile organs from the weight that gravity imposes upon us. Over time, these support structures lose their gusto and gravity takes its toll. I feel Gravity most in my own life most when I am in pain. If my neck is in pain, Gravity is my worst enemy. Likewise, if my sacrum moves out of place, each step feels like a nightmare. Activities like yoga have been designed to defy gravity by elongating the spine, bending upside down and building muscles to counteract this force.
With all this being said, the force of Gravity is peanuts on the subatomic level. When we think about such principles like energy-mass equivalence, there are stronger forces that seem to defy the principle. On the subatomic level, there is constant activity that is not impacted by the force of Gravity. The Strong Force, holds atoms together and is strong enough to attract protons despite their nature to repel by virtue of their positive charge. Without the organization made possible by the strong force, every cells in our bodies would not take their shape.
The strong force, is extremely short ranged. The electromagnetic force, is infinite in range because it deals with photons, which have no resting mass. When discussing protons, the natural repel of same charged particles relates to electromagnetism, though once protons come nearer to the nucleus, the strong force overpowers. Electromagnetism can be observed though phenomena like friction and air resistance. Without it, our lives would be quite strange. Imagine a bodywork with no friction. A speeding car with no air resistance. Skiing with no powder resistance. A sliding chair with floor resistance. The would would be quite strange and unsafe. In many ways that we cannot even imagine.
While at work yesterday, I saw things a differently. I felt my body in space differently. I observed everyday tasks anew and my awareness of energy, force and the matter that they impact doused my world with a bit more color. There is so much I do not understand and the more I learn about these principles, the more evident my lack of knowledge becomes.
References:
http://blog.intellidance.ca/blog/2-15-2011/c-s-how-nurture-your-babys-spine-development
Zukav, Gary. The Dancing Wu Li Masters. Harper Collins, 2001
Take energy for instance. Since it does not generally take a form that we can observe, it can be thought of as abstract. "Can you feel my Energy, man?" However, Einstein brought to light the notion that energy and matter are in fact two sides of the same coin in his formula E=mc2. Energy can actually be measured by multiplying mass by the speed of light. This also implies that all objects which have mass, also inherintly have energy. However, Objects at rest have less mass then those with generated energy (moving), which demonstrates that energy is undoubtedly tangible. An egg timer at rest therefor has less total energy then one that is measuring time. Tick! Tick!
All objects with mass, are also impacted by the Force of Gravity. This well know force pulls us (and all other particles with mass) towards the earth's center, impacting the ocean's tides and other surrounding planets. Our incredible bodies are built to exist in conjunction with the force of gravity. For example, we notices the benefits of gravity in the stimulation of growth in our bones. Wight bearing activity stimulates osteoblasts to promote bone growth and since weight is directly dependent on the force of gravity, our our bones would eventually deteriorate without it. Even the most youthful, physically fit astronauts have been seen to develop osteoporosis when left in space for long periods of time.
Though we depend greatly on gravity's pull, we also deteriorate on its behalf. In utero we are submerged in liquid, protected for gravitational pull as to promote optimal development. We are born with kyphotic spines that look like one large C. Slowly, as we learn to crawl and eventually walk, the forces of gravity causes our spines to reshape to safely bear the weight of our rather large noggins. Our muscles, bones and internal fluids helps protect our fragile organs from the weight that gravity imposes upon us. Over time, these support structures lose their gusto and gravity takes its toll. I feel Gravity most in my own life most when I am in pain. If my neck is in pain, Gravity is my worst enemy. Likewise, if my sacrum moves out of place, each step feels like a nightmare. Activities like yoga have been designed to defy gravity by elongating the spine, bending upside down and building muscles to counteract this force.
With all this being said, the force of Gravity is peanuts on the subatomic level. When we think about such principles like energy-mass equivalence, there are stronger forces that seem to defy the principle. On the subatomic level, there is constant activity that is not impacted by the force of Gravity. The Strong Force, holds atoms together and is strong enough to attract protons despite their nature to repel by virtue of their positive charge. Without the organization made possible by the strong force, every cells in our bodies would not take their shape.
The strong force, is extremely short ranged. The electromagnetic force, is infinite in range because it deals with photons, which have no resting mass. When discussing protons, the natural repel of same charged particles relates to electromagnetism, though once protons come nearer to the nucleus, the strong force overpowers. Electromagnetism can be observed though phenomena like friction and air resistance. Without it, our lives would be quite strange. Imagine a bodywork with no friction. A speeding car with no air resistance. Skiing with no powder resistance. A sliding chair with floor resistance. The would would be quite strange and unsafe. In many ways that we cannot even imagine.
While at work yesterday, I saw things a differently. I felt my body in space differently. I observed everyday tasks anew and my awareness of energy, force and the matter that they impact doused my world with a bit more color. There is so much I do not understand and the more I learn about these principles, the more evident my lack of knowledge becomes.
References:
http://blog.intellidance.ca/blog/2-15-2011/c-s-how-nurture-your-babys-spine-development
Zukav, Gary. The Dancing Wu Li Masters. Harper Collins, 2001
Comments
Post a Comment