The Physical Meaning of

E=mc2

Glenn BorchardtProgressive Science Institute

Berkeley, CA 94705

Is energy and mass the same thing?

Assumptions

4. INSEPARABILITY

Just as there is no motion without matter, so there is no

matter without motion

5. CONSERVATION

Energy Matter and the motion of matter can be

neither created nor destroyed.

Language as the Key to Reality

1. All languages are based on nouns and verbs.2. That is, things and their motions.3. We can imagine matter without motion, but

we cannot imagine motion without matter.4. That is, we can have legs without running,

but we cannot have running without legs.5. Problem: Giving motion a name unavoidably

tends to “objectify” “it.”

8. INFINITY

The universe is infinite, both in the microscopic and the macroscopic directions.

What is Matter?1. Matter is an abstraction for “all things.”2. With INFINITY, we assume that all things

contain other things, ad infinitum.3. That is, we assume that there are no partless

parts.4. Matter exists, that is, matter has three

dimensions and may be located in relation to other things.

5. All things are portions of the universe, which is infinite.

What is Motion?1. Motion is an abstraction for what things do.2. Motion does not “exist,” it occurs.3. Motion is not “part” of the universe.4. Motion is not “connected” or “attached” to

matter.5. Examples of motion: sound, fire, light, time.

Distinguishing Between Matter and Motion

1. The universe consists of one thing (matter) and presents us with two phenomena (matter and the motion of matter).

2. Because matter has three dimensions and location, and motion does not, I can put matter in my back pocket (e.g., rocks), but not motion (e.g., earthquakes).

3. The failure to distinguish clearly between matter and the motion of matter is the foundation of the 20th century regression in physics.

How much energy in coal?

None

Energy does not exist!

• Only matter exists.• Motion does not exist; it occurs.• Like many other physics concepts, energy is a matter-motion term.• Matter-motion terms attempt to consider matter and motion at the same time. In math, equations contain a term for matter and a term for motion.• But we must remember: Energy is neither matter nor motion, it is a concept (i.e., an idea).

Matter-Motion Terms

P = mvF = maE = mc2

Spacetime

What is wrong with matter-motion terms?

Nothing, as long as we:

1. Remember that they are concepts or abstractions.2. Avoid objectifying the motion they seek to

explain.3. Avoid deobjectifying the matter they seek to

explain.

From E = mc2 to energy is equivalent to mass…

Is momentum equivalent to mass?Is force equivalent to mass?

Einstein_Equation.wav

Nuclear Fusion

Nuclear Fission

Nuclear Fusion in the Sun

4 protons lose two positrons, form helium-3 with 2 more protons, to form helium-4

and 2 protons

Open System

Allows Emission of Matter. A submicrocosm leaves a low velocity microcosm and becomes a supermicrocosm.

Closed System

Allows Emission of Motion: A submicrocosm collides with and transfers motion to a low velocity supermicrocosm.

Emission of MotionMicrocosm Macrocosm

All Reactions Demonstrate the Transformation of Matter in Motion of One Kind into Matter in Motion

of Another Kind

OLD: Conservation of Matter :

2H2 + O2 ---> 2H2O

(2x2) + (2x16) = (2x18) = 36

NEW: Conservation of Matter and Motion:All chemical and nuclear reactions are accompanied by a change in

motion {emitted or absorbed motion of matter}:

motion + C3H8 + 5O2 ---> 4H2O + 3CO2 + MOTION

235U + 1 neutron + motion ---> 3 neutrons + 92Kr + 141Ba +

MOTION

“The mass of an atom is more than the sum of the individual masses of its protons and neutrons... Extra mass is a result of the binding energy that holds the protons and neutrons of the nucleus together. Thus, when the uranium atom is split, some of the energy that held it together is released as radiation in the form of heat. Because energy and mass are one and the same, the energy released is also mass released. Therefore, the total mass does decrease a tiny bit during the reaction.” --thinkquest.org

The Conventional Wisdom

Physical Meaning ofE = mc2

Energy loss viewed as matterless motion:

Energy loss viewed as the motion of matter:

Empty Space

Ether

Conclusions1. The equation E = mc2 is a description of

the transformation of the motion of matter of one kind into the motion of matter of another kind.

2. Energy does not exist; only matter exists.3. Motion does not exist, it occurs.4. The 20th century regression in physics

may be traced to the objectification of motion via the energy concept.

5. The constant and familiar usage of nominative matter-motion terms such as energy, force, momentum, and spacetime has given them the false connotation that they are real, actually existing things.

6. They are not, they are only concepts or ideas.

7. The description of a running dog is not a running dog.

8. The Conservation of Energy is the conservation of nothing; only matter and the motion of matter can be conserved.

9. To overcome the absurdities of modern mathematical physics, we need to deconstruct the responsible matter-motion terms.

10. Such a “reality check” can be used to debunk indeterministic claims such as these:

• Matterless motion• Massless particles• Virtual particles• Dark energy• Empty space• More than 3 dimensions

The End