States of matter and energy
Hopefully this is comprehensable at some level, 'cause I'm having an interesting time trying to express these thoughts:
So, in the classical (greek) system, there are four 'elements': earth, water, air, and fire. Now, it is IOTTCO that three of these elements represent the phases of matter, while the other represents energy (more specifically, thermal, or kinetic energy). So, here's a question for everyone: Is there a way to classify energy with respect to matter in a way similar to the 5 phases of matter?
To expound: the phases of matter are based on common characteristics/behaviors of matter with respect to the amount of kinetic energy present in said matter. There are many 'types' of energy; kinetic, potential, electrical, magnetic, gravitational, etc., but these classifications don't seem to have the same neatness that the material phases have. Can energy be classified based on the amount of matter, or particles, present in said energy? Is energy really anything except a way for us humans to measure and refer to the motion of particles in space/time? As such, does it really belong in its classification as an 'element' as described above?
BTW, my thinking in this case is based on macroverse physics, so ignore quantum and subatomic levels (if at all possible), especially since at those levels "matter" is essentialy "energy" held in relative stasis. Actually, lets just not go there because I don't really have the background to understand much in that realm. ;) Also, lets work on a pysical/scientific level here, and hold off on any metaphysics that may crop up. (Feel free to email those to me, however, if you really want to.)
So, in the classical (greek) system, there are four 'elements': earth, water, air, and fire. Now, it is IOTTCO that three of these elements represent the phases of matter, while the other represents energy (more specifically, thermal, or kinetic energy). So, here's a question for everyone: Is there a way to classify energy with respect to matter in a way similar to the 5 phases of matter?
To expound: the phases of matter are based on common characteristics/behaviors of matter with respect to the amount of kinetic energy present in said matter. There are many 'types' of energy; kinetic, potential, electrical, magnetic, gravitational, etc., but these classifications don't seem to have the same neatness that the material phases have. Can energy be classified based on the amount of matter, or particles, present in said energy? Is energy really anything except a way for us humans to measure and refer to the motion of particles in space/time? As such, does it really belong in its classification as an 'element' as described above?
BTW, my thinking in this case is based on macroverse physics, so ignore quantum and subatomic levels (if at all possible), especially since at those levels "matter" is essentialy "energy" held in relative stasis. Actually, lets just not go there because I don't really have the background to understand much in that realm. ;) Also, lets work on a pysical/scientific level here, and hold off on any metaphysics that may crop up. (Feel free to email those to me, however, if you really want to.)