Saturday 21 March 2020

special relativity - Can energy exist without matter?



Is it theoretically possible that energy will be in space without any matter/antimatter/etc in that space? Is it theoretically possible that space will exist with only energy in it and without anything else in that space?



Answer



I see there's already an accepted answer, but I wanted to contribute a simpler explanation, since it sounds like that's what you're going for.


In basic mechanical physics, you're probably used to the idea of mechanical energy. When you pull a roller coaster up to the crest of the hill, you've imparted potential energy to it, which it then turns into kinetic energy as it rolls down the hill and through the ride.


But that is only one form of energy. The radio waves that you pick up on your FM radio also have energy. Unlike waves moving through water, these radio waves can travel through empty space and do not require matter to transmit them. Radio waves, light, and other forms of radiation all have energy, but do not need matter.


So yes, you absolutely can have energy without matter, in empty space.


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