[MJA]

Originally Posted by cosvis Hi David and all, Photons travel at the speed of light; they have zero rest mass consisting of a quantum of electromagnetic radiation. The photons must explain the photo-electric effect speculated and shown to be correct by Einstein. From this photo-electric effect we know that the photon has some particle properties; it must have some kinetic energy. Yours Cosvis.

Dear Cosmic or anyone,

Could you please explain to me how a photon can have a zero rest mass when a photon never rests, but rather travels at a constant (always) velocity of C?
How do you measure a photon at rest?

I have yet to understand rest mass of actually anything.
What is truly at rest, nothing?

=
MJA

[cosvis]

Hi MJA and all,

When we say that a photo has "zero rest mass", it means it has "no rest mass" because it is always on the move with a constant speed of light. I think it is true to say that Einstein held that there is constant movement in the universe; all objects move relatively one to another and that is why he was able to work out the general laws of relativity and was able to discover the fourth space-time dimension.

We know that only photons or quanta particles have no rest mass and can move at the speed of light. Any other particle or matter that has rest mass can not move at the speed of light, but moves at a speed lesser than the speed of light. Any particle or matter that can increase or decrease in its speed, is govern by the laws of relativity. This means it can increase or decrease in its relativity mass depending on its speed. When its speed increases so also its relative mass increases; when its speed decreases, its relativity mass also decreases.

The difference between photons and other particles which do have rest mass is that the photons travel constantly at the speed of light. This means they are in a special unique situation in regards to the other particles or matter. I like to say that photons make up a special dimension which I called the fifth dimension. While Einstein discovered the unique situation of the photons or quanta particles, he did not call it the fifth dimension.

In this fifth dimension which also can be called the quantum dimension, the time factor is zero according to Einstein's special relativity law of time dilation. In this special case of the Einstein's relativity laws where time is constant and not relative, the Einstein's relativity formula can be replace by the Newtonian laws of movement.

I think this distiction between the fourth and fifth or quantum dimensions is very important when it comes to understand the link between the two fields of sciences. Even Einstein himself had difficulties in understanding quantum physics and could not reconcile it with his relativity theory because of the uncertainty principle in quantum theory. I think it was Einstein who said "God does not throw dices."

Yours Cosvis.

[MJA]

Originally Posted by cosvis Hi MJA and all, When we say that a photon has "zero rest mass", it means it has "no rest mass" because it is always on the move with a constant speed of light. I think it is true to say that Einstein held that there is constant movement in the universe; all objects move relatively one to another and that is why he was able to work out the general laws of relativity and was able to discover the fourth space-time dimension. We know that only photons or quanta particles have no rest mass and can move at the speed of light. Any other particle or matter that has rest mass can not move at the speed of light, but moves at a speed lesser than the speed of light. Any particle or matter that can increase or decrease in its speed, is govern by the laws of relativity. This means it can increase or decrease in its relativity mass depending on its speed. When its speed increases so also its relative mass increases; when its speed decreases, its relativity mass also decreases. The difference between photons and other particles which do have rest mass is that the photons travel constantly at the speed of light. This means they are in a special unique situation in regards to the other particles or matter. I like to say that photons make up a special dimension which I called the fifth dimension. While Einstein discovered the unique situation of the photons or quanta particles, he did not call it the fifth dimension. In this fifth dimension which also can be called the quantum dimension, the time factor is zero according to Einstein's special relativity law of time dilation. In this special case of the Einstein's relativity laws where time is constant and not relative, the Einstein's relativity formula can be replace by the Newtonian laws of movement. I think this distiction between the fourth and fifth or quantum dimensions is very important when it comes to understand the link between the two fields of sciences. Even Einstein himself had difficulties in understanding quantum physics and could not reconcile it with his relativity theory because of the uncertainty principle in quantum theory. I think it was Einstein who said "God does not throw dices." Yours Cosvis.

Dear Cosvic,

I have taken the liberty and high-lighted some phrases in your explanation of zero rest mass to point out the obvious contradiction. You state everything is always moving including photons, yet only photons never stop moving and consequently have no or zero rest mass. If everything is moving, then nothing has a zero rest mass right? Or do you mean everything including photons are moving but a photon never stops moving and everything else does stop?
So when does everything but photons stop or rest?

And the fourth, fifth, quantum dimension is the expanation?

Thanks again for your help,

=
MJA

[cosvis]

Hi MJA and all,

The physical idea of zero rest mass photons and particles with rest mass is a basic physical scientific concept. Particles that have rest mass move lesser than the speed of light and can never move at the speed of light according to Einstein's theory of relativity. It does not mean that they are not moving relatively to other particles because Einstein also held that everything has relative movement. So the best way I think, to separate the zero or no rest mass particles from rest mass particles is simply that the zero rest mass particles travel at the speed of light whereas the particles with rest mass travel at a speed lesser than the speed of light. The rest mass particle has relativity mass, where as those particles that have zero rest mass, which also have evidences of gravitational and inertial elements, have virtual mass and but not relativity mass that is govern by the laws of relativity.

I think MJA, you might get a better idea of what is being proposed in our "The Eternal Evolving Universe" theory if you could read some of the previous questions and answers on this thread.

Yours Cosvis.

[cosvis]

Hi to all,

I wonder if we could approach our thread in a slightly different way to make it a bit more interesting? I like to share with you a work I wrote some time ago which I called "The Physical Cosmos."

THE PHYSICAL COSMOS.
A LOOK AT OUR BEAUTIFUL UNIVERSE.
INTRODUCTION.

The physical cosmos is so fascinating that it is an object of observation, study and speculation of many people. These include the important question “When did time begin?” This happened when massive or rest mass objects were formed out of pure energy, and moved with a speed lesser than the speed of light. Pure energy, however, which moves at the speed of light exists in a dimension of its own which I like to call the fifth dimension. In this dimension physical time has stopped or is zero because pure energy or electromagnetic radiation moves at the speed of light.

From the transcendent notion of time, it is reasonable to say that the universe, caused by the first cause is eternal. This notion is reasonable and can give an explanation to the physical laws of conservation of energy which states that energy can not be created or destroyed; in other words, it must be eternal. Scientists also hold that the basic laws that govern the universe are immutable. If the first cause, is the cause or origin of all the energy in the universe and the evolutionary process that governs the universe, then the universe can be considered to be eternal. The great medieval theologian and philosopher Thomas Aquinas had no difficulty in accepting the concept of an eternal universe as long as it was accepted that the first cause is the origin and end of everything that exists.

Aristotle contributed to our scientific understanding of the universe in teaching that for every movement there must be a cause or a force. For an object that is at rest to acquire movement, there must exist a cause, a power or a force that makes it to move. Aristotle called the cause that started it all, the first cause. Many scientists, philosophers, theologians, artists and a multitude of ordinary people with a great love for the universe, have accepted this idea of Aristotle and it has become a principle in our thoughts of logic.

I am one of those who loves to examine all aspects of the cosmos. I am fascinated by its mystery and I have a particular cosmic vision which I would like to share with anyone who would be interested.

Yours Cosvis.

[cosvis]

Hi to all,

Let me share with you from my book "The Physical Cosmos."

CHAPTER I.

1. ARISTOTLE.

Aristotle (384-322 BC) was one of the greatest philosophers of the ancient Greek world. He had a tremendous influence in the development of the Western European culture and civilisation. He was the teacher of the young Alexander the Great who conquered a great part of Western Asia and thus spread Greek culture and civilization over a vast area of the known world at his time. From Aristotle and from the many other Greek philsophers and scholars, we learned many of the basic principles on which Western civilization has been founded.

BASIC PRINCIPLES.

The universe is governed by fundamental physical principles, many of which have been discovered. It is important to know them in order to get a better understanding of the cosmos in which we live. The universe is so great and immense that it presents itself as a mystery to anyone who is trying to comprehend it. The task is to apply our intelligence, our collective memory, skills and knowledge to unravel these mysteries and so to contribute to a deeper appreciation and understanding of the cosmos. This becomes a universal challenge to all but particularly to those who have the skills, intelligence and opportunity. It is not restricted to the physical scientists but must also involve the philosophers, the theologians, the artists and every person who feels urged to contribute in any way possible.

Aristotelian thought over the ancient world.

Aristotle was a profound metaphysician who tried to investigate the causes of things. He was not a physical scientist in our present day understanding, but he did study nature and was able to come to some very important discoveries that have helped us in the understanding of the universe.

As a philosopher, Aristotle knew the principle of sufficient reason. He knew and accepted the principle that: nothing can come from nothing. In a rational world there must exist a sufficient reason for everything that exists, which would explain its existence. One of the greatest puzzles is 'existence' itself. Why does anything exist at all? But because we know intuitively that we exist, we also know intuitively that existence must exist. We further know that we are only finite; our existence does not explain the cause of our existence. In other words, we did not make ourselves because we are finite. Using the principle of sufficient reason, we can conclude that infinite existence itself must exist, that gives existence to finite beings. This infinite existence was called by Aristotle the first cause, the cause or reason of all that exists.

These may seem to be intuitive or obvious statements but they are very important and need to be remembered and respected especially when it comes to the understanding of the universe. The universe could not have just formed itself out of nothing, this would be irrational because the universe itself is only finite and not infinite. To Aristotle there existed a first and a sufficient cause of everything that exists. It is the first and sufficient cause of everything that alone can give a sufficient reason of existence. To Aristotle this first and sufficient cause and reason of everything was pure essence, beingness itself, that gives beingness to everything that exists. The first and sufficient cause of everything that exists is universally acknowledged by intelligent people in all civilisations. To understand and to accept the existence of a first cause requires sufficient knowledge, intelligence and intellectual honesty. The first cause is pure act and acts from eternity.

Yours Cosvis.

[cosvis]

Hi to all,

I think it is very important to examine the notion of time which could have different meanings as viewed from our common experience, from science and from a transcendental perspective.

2. The Notion of Time.

The notion of an eternal act is difficult to understand and is closely linked with the notion of time. The concept of time can be threefold. Normally, our common or logical understanding of time means the past, the present and the future. What happened before the present is in the past and what will happen after the present is the future. We are all familiar with this understanding of the notion of time. We all were born in the past, we live in the present now and we all will die in the future. Logical time is measured by comparing the period of time of a repetitive action. A year for example, is the period of time that the earth requires to revolve once around the sun. This is the normal experience and understanding of logical time.

Albert Einstein opened up to us another understanding of the notion of time. The physical or relative notion of time which is time dilation. Time in the physical world is relative; it depends on the speed of a moving object relative to another object. The faster the object moves relative to another object the slower is its time factor. If the speed of an object nears the speed of light, its time factor is slowed down. No massive object can move at the speed of light where its time factor would be zero. This is a very different understanding from our common perception of time but it is very important and relevant when it comes to understand the physical universe.

There is another understanding of time which could be called transcendent; it is beyond the understanding of our common experience. It is different from physical time as used by the scientists when measuring the movement of sub-atomic particles. This transcendent notion of time is eternal time where there is no past or future but only an eternal present. It is this notion of time that is applied to the first cause, or to the pure essence of existence. The first cause of everything has no past or future but exists only in an eternal present. It is pure act that gives existence to everything that exists in the past, presence and future. This is a difficult notion of time but it is reasonable. If the first cause of everything that exists, is pure act and acts in an eternal presence, it is reasonable to say that it acts from eternity to eternity. Its action is eternal.

Yours Cosvis.

[cosvis]

Hi to all,

Early views of the universe.

Aristotle might not have been aware of the different forces in nature and the laws of movement which were discovered much later. He was, however, aware of the existence of at least some physical forces that gave movement to the heavenly bodies. His vision of the universe was rather limited when compared to our present day understanding. The earth was regarded as the centre of the universe and all the planets, stars, sun and moon moved in concentric spheres around the earth and they determined their different orbits. This vision of the universe was firmly established by the work of the great astronomer Claudius Ptolemmaeus of Alexandria (100-178 AD). It was so deeply held and taught as gospel truth that it lasted nearly one and one half millennia.

Eventually, as new knowledge, evidences and facts where discovered, this vision was challenged and could no longer be held valid.
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) born about twenty three years after Corpernicus’ death, was the first person to use a refracting telescope for observing the heavens. He made a systematic observation of the heavens, giving observational evidence for a Sun-centred solar system as was predicted by Corpernicus (1473-1543).

At the time of Galileo, there also lived the great astronomer Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) who realised that the universe could not be infinite but must be finite because the darkness of the night sky directly conflicts with the idea of an infinite universe filled with luminous stars. Kepler was able to discover by using the astronomical data gathered by Tycho Brahe (1546-1601), the three laws of motion of the planets around the sun. These laws were important for the work of Newton to discover the laws of gravity.

Yours Cosvis.

[cosvis]

Hi to all,

One of the great scientists in the Middle Ages, was Sir Issac Newton who worked out the basic laws of gravity and motions.

3. ISAAC NEWTON.

In the sixteenth century, scientists were developing a new model of the universe. This new idea or vision of the cosmos was strengthened when Nicholaus Copernicus’s book ‘On the Revolutions of Heavenly Bodies’, was published just before his death in 1543. The new cosmic vision placed the sun as the centre of the universe and had all the planets and heavenly bodies in the solar system moving around the sun.

Isaac Newton (1642-1727) was one of the greatest physicists and mathematicians of his time. He was able to discover the universal law of gravity and the laws of motion that bear his name. He was able to see that the reason why the planets moved in elliptical orbits is that gravity obeys an inverse square law. He published his book ‘The Principia’, in 1687 which had a great influence on scientific development for the next three hundred years.

Newton left two important contributions to science. One was the law of gravity which states that the force between two masses any where in the universe, is proportional to the product of the two masses divided by the square of the distance between them.

The second great contribution of Newton were the three laws of motion.

1. Every object continues in a state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line unless it is acted upon by a force.

2. An applied force changes the momentum of an object. This means that the force is related to the mass of an object and its acceleration.

3. Whenever a force is applied to an object, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

The great contribution of Newton to our understanding of the universe is the idea of the conservation of both kinetic and gravitational energy and forces. After a force has been applied to an object it gains kinetic energy which remains conserved as momentum. The momentum of an object which has kinetic energy, is released when the movement of the object is stopped. This can be clearly seen when an asteroid hits a planet. The kinetic energy or the force of the impact of the asteroid can cause tremendous damage. It is therefore possible to conclude that a moving object which has kinetic energy, carries a potential kinetic force. Similarly, the potential gravitational energy carries the gravitational force which is released when an object falls due to the attraction of the force of gravity.

If Aristotle taught that there must be a cause, a power, or a force for an object at rest to move, or a moving object to gain more momentum, Newton showed that this force or power is conserved in the momentum of a moving object. This meant that a moving object or mass would remain in the state of constant motion unless it was acted upon by another force. The force is only needed for the acceleration or deceleration of an object. A moving object has momentum depending on the speed and mass of the object. It contains kinetic energy which can be changed into other forms of energy like gravitational potential energy, but this change can only come by means of a force. There are two basic forces and energies operative in the universe, one is gravitational and the other is kinetical.

Yours Cosvis.

[austintorn@aol.com]

The Meadows of Heaven

We, of the highest consciousness and of the most versatile form, so far as we know, reside as the ultimate being in this rarefied realm—as we are the most fortuitous creatures that the universe has ever wrought; in fact, we ARE the universe come to life—necessarily from a long line of many fortunate accidents.

It had to be this way, for any universe in which we could appear would have to be suitable for us by chance or we wouldn’t be around to discuss it. Looking back in time, we already know, ahead of time, that we will observe that the slightest of variations would have doomed us. All this we know and expect because we are here.

In “other-wheres”, junkyard universes litter the omniscape in every direction—they flunked, failed, and miscarried—a quadrillion universes broken down for every one that worked to any extent.

In some of these other forlorn universes, perhaps the material was inert and so it just sat there and did nothing forever. In others, maybe gravity was insufficient or had no natural place to collect particles, although the particles may even have been somewhat similar to ours, and so it thinned out endlessly and spread coldly toward infinity. In yet others, again, even in the same ballpark as ours, the portions weren't quite right and although they may have formed a few elements, they went no further after that for a zillion years.

In our universe, the dark chest of wonders of possibility and probability opened up in just the just right way, and naked quarks spewed forth, among other things, and boiled and brewed in one of the steamiest broths ever cooked up. They somehow simmered and combined into the ordinary matter of protons, neutrons, and so forth. Quite independently, by some unknown means, dark matter arose, as well, and, luckily, also, some very long filaments, called cosmic strings, formed and survived long enough to be useful; they were merely imperfections, as in an unevenly freezing pond—kind of a flaw.

None of these three independent happenings were related or connected to the others, but, fortunately, the cosmic strings attracted, by their gravity, both dark and ordinary matter, which, in turn, attracted even more of the same.

Pearls of embryonic galaxies arose and were strung along these cosmic necklaces, as can be noted even now. So it was that some almost incidental irregularities, frozen out as cosmic anchors, were latched onto by matter, both light and dark, the proportionate portions of which were favorable, as well, the dark matter dwarfing our ordinary matter by some chance, for some reason, by some happy circumstance. Fortuitously, anti-matter, if there ever was any, did not fully cancel out the uncle-matter.

The universe could not foresee any of this, for, if it could, then we’d only have the larger and near infinite problem of how the foreseer could have been foreseen, ad infinitum…

We know much of the rest of the story—how stars and supernovae created the elements, which combined into molecules, which, auspiciously, became able to replicate themselves and progress to make cells, tissues, and life.

And then there was oxygen, a mere waste product of photosynthesis, that could fill the lungs, as well as build an ozone layer of protection from harmful rays. Luck on top of luck, fortune, and then prosperity stumbled along.

Of course, all this took billions upon billions of years—and it is this long “yardstick” that both baffles the mind and demonstrates the long time lag need to produce even the tiniest of advances. It bears all the hallmarks of randomness at work.

Dinosaurs roamed the Earth for over two hundred years—imagine the length of that—supreme and invincible from all but their own kind—the kings of all the Earth, on land, seas, and even in the air—heading towards forevermore and beyond, but…

Dame Fortune again intervened when the asteroids or some such catastrophe finished the dinosaurs as well as 90% of the species existing. This random event left a vacuum in which new species could thrive.

Proto-man gave way to near-man and thence to us when two chromosomes fused together, making us incompatible with chimps—and so our ancestors descended from the trees! We came to need no specialized niches, since we could adapt to any terrain, having brains that could learn much more after birth than instinct could bestow before. Our higher level consciousness was the crowning glory—we had won the human race—the be all and end all—the grand prize, the largest lottery. There is nothing more, aside from our own progress to be. This is it!

DNA remembers every step—and you can see this in fast motion when embryos form simply in liquid, replicate and grow cells that diversify into a human being. Four billion years compresses into nine months.

So, then, hail, and good fortune, fine fellows—and welcome all of you to the Meadows of Heaven—the highest point of all being, although we are surely still in our infancy. We were borne here upon the shoulders of so many who have long since come and gone, but advanced the cause, over eons of wiles.

Fare thee well, fine friends, for we are some of the luckiest sons of bitches in a rare universe well done. Celebrate.