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Science

DetlefK

(16,670 posts)

8. If adding photons means adding mass, then the reverse also holds.

Reply to Sirveri (Reply #6)

Sun Jun 16, 2013, 05:10 PM

Jun 2013

You should know that the majority of mass in baryonic matter is contained within the potential energy (manifested by virtual gluons) holding quarks together. That's why you can't just add up the masses of quarks to get the mass of a meson or baryon.

I don't know for sure but I don't see any obstacles why a similar mechanism shouldn't count for the potential energy between an atomic nucleus and the electrons (manifested in virtual photons and the virtual electrons within those virtual photons).

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Is the Earth getting heavier? [View all] n2doc Jun 2013 OP

I thought the Earth was gaining mass... Wounded Bear Jun 2013 #1

Any mass gain from inbound energy will be insignificant next to that. Orsino Jun 2013 #3

why would we lose mass because something cools? Sirveri Jun 2013 #4

Earth radiates photons as it cools. n/t Orsino Jun 2013 #5

photons aren't mass, they're energy, so unless mass is converted to energy, we wouldn't lose mass. Sirveri Jun 2013 #6

If adding photons means adding mass, then the reverse also holds. DetlefK Jun 2013 #8

great read Victor_c3 Jun 2013 #2

Will the planet lose more mass than it gains before the sun engulfs it? cstanleytech Jun 2013 #7