Reference: KHTK Glossary (Physics)
This is the beginning of a glossary that views SUBSTANCE in the most general manner. It is a work in progress.
.
KEY WORDS
AETHER,
COGNITIVE SUBSTANCE, CONSCIOUSNESS, CONSISTENCY,
ENERGY SUBSTANCE,
FORCE,
INERTIA, LINES OF FORCE,
MASS NUMBER, MATERIAL SUBSTANCE, MATERIALISM,
PHYSICAL, PHYSICS, PRIMARY SUBSTANCE,
SCIENCE, SPACE, SPECTRUM OF SUBSTANCE, SUBSTANCE, SYSTEM
.
AETHER
See LINES OF FORCE.
COGNITIVE SUBSTANCE
When we think, remember, or visualize, we are dealing with the cognitive substance. Our postulates, considerations, viewpoints and ideas are all made of cognitive substance. One of the intrinsic property of cognitive substance is “awareness”. This awareness can be contrasted very finely with other awareness that are present. The consistency of cognitive substance is so fine that it cannot be sensed by our physical senses. It can be sensed only by our mental sense. We may refer to the dimension of cognitive substance as “theta.” It has its own laws that are very different from the laws of physical substance.
CONSCIOUSNESS
Consciousness is the ability to sense. There is primitive consciousness only, “to evolve”, in the “primary substance.” This leads to evolution. As the substance and its form evolve, its consciousness also evolves. This consciousness is weak in inanimate objects, greater in animate organisms, and the greatest in the humankind. There is no consciousness independent of the universe. The common denominator of all consciousness is “to evolve.” The ultimate evolved consciousness is yet to be realized. It is possible that, over the millennia, many individuals may have evolved to the ultimate consciousness; but the humankind and the universe as a whole have yet to evolve to that state.
CONSISTENCY
Consistency is the degree of substantiality of substance. It is recognized as density, firmness, or viscosity of the substance. For example, “Honey has higher consistency than water.” For energy substance consistency is measured per quanta, where quanta is determined by frequency. For material substance consistency is measured by the mass of its elementary particle, such as, proton or neutron, where the elementary particle is determined by its smallest discrete inertia. The quanta and the mass of elementary particle may be measured by the same unit. Thus, substance can have a gradient of consistencies.
ENERGY SUBSTANCE
Light, radiative energy and quantum “particles” consist of energy substance. The consistency of energy substance is least for gravity and most for electrons. This consistency can be sensed and measured as momentum. Since there are no atomic particles, energy substance of same consistency may coalesce together and flow like fluids. The “quantum” does not have a center of mass to have a precise location in space. So, the concept of quanta may represent the coalesced consistency rather than the discreteness of particles. The quantum may be measured through subatomic interactions. The wave properties of wavelength and frequency are intrinsic to energy substance. Its frequency increases in parallel with consistency.
FORCE
We perceive objects and their substance by how they impact our senses. This impact is always in the form of FORCE. Therefore, we may consider FORCE to be synonymous with substance. This was Faraday’s view. Maxwell, however, saw force only as “the tendency of a body to pass from one place to another,” which depends upon “the amount of change of tension which that passage would produce.” Thus, he saw force as change in energy over distance. Here distance is not defined but considered subjectively only. Unlike Faraday, Maxwell did not relate force directly to the nature of substance.
INERTIA
Inertia is the property of resistance to motion. We can detect something only when it resists, meaning it has inertia. The primary characteristic of substance is that it is substantial enough to be sensed or detected; or, that it has inertia. A substance always reacts to force by returning force. If there is no force returned in any shape or form, then there is no resistance, no inertia and no substance. The force defines the substance. This innate force characteristic of matter was called inertia by Newton, and he associated it with mass. But this innate force characteristic may be applied to any substance, and not just to matter. We may, therefore, associate inertia not just with mass of matter; but, with the consistency of substance. Inertia may be measured as ‘consistency’ by measuring the resistance to unit acceleration. When there is substance and inertia, there is always contact and force. So, there is feeling.
LINES OF FORCE
Faraday conceived lines of force as the force extending between atoms that forms the fabric of space between them. These lines of force carry the vibrations of the radiative phenomena. Maxwell and other physicists postulated space consisting of mysterious aether instead.
MASS NUMBER
The mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons (together known as nucleons) in an atomic nucleus. It is approximately equal to the atomic mass of the atom expressed in atomic mass units.
MATERIAL SUBSTANCE
We are most familiar with the material substance as matter. Its consistency is so high that it is placed in a special category called mass. The key property of material substance is the “center of mass.” This center determines the location of a material object in space. The laws of mechanics are applicable to it. The material substance comes in states of solids, liquids and gases. In solid state, the material substance can be structured into shapes that persist. Material substance of all different states may be reduced to discrete particles. The smallest particles are called molecules and atoms. The ultimate material particles are the protons and neutrons that make up the nucleus of the atom. All material particles have centers of mass. But energy “particles” do not have centers of mass and they cannot be located precisely in space.
MATERIALISM
Materialism holds matter to be the fundamental substance in nature, and all things, including mental states and consciousness, are results of material interactions.
PHYSICAL
Origin: “pertaining to nature.” Physical indicates connected with, pertaining to that which is material.
PHYSICS
Origin: “pertaining to nature.” Physics is the science that deals with matter, energy, motion, and force.
PHYSICS
The subject that addresses the energy of the external environment, and all its forms.
PHYSICS is the objective study of nature. When we say that physics is objective, we mean that there is a natural continuity, harmony and consistency among all its observations, interpretations and conclusions.
Inconsistencies among theories, lack of proper definitions, and disagreements among physicists are strong indicators of subjectivity that needs to be resolved.
PRIMARY SUBSTANCE
The primary substance is the inherent “substance-in-itself.” In Hinduism, it is symbolized as SHIVA, which is then formed into other substance through SHAKTI.
SCIENCE
Origin: “to know.” Science is systematic knowledge of the physical or material world gained through observation and experimentation.
SPACE
(1) Space is the property of extension of substance (matter, light and gravity). (2) Space is the spread of substance (mass and energy) such that it becomes really thin.
SPECTRUM OF SUBSTANCE
The gradient of increasing consistencies gives us a spectrum of substance. At the bottom we have the ephemeral thought of infinitesimal consistency. Just above it, we have the invisible energy of imperceptible consistency. At the top, we have the tangible matter of dense consistency.
SUBSTANCE
Since the universe is substantial, it is made of substance. Substance is anything that is substantial enough to be sensed. The root meaning of substance is: “That which stands under.” The substance may be divided broadly into: (1) cognitive, and (2) physical. The physical substance may be divided further into (a) field, (b) energy, and (c) matter. Substance has the following key properties: consistency, inertia, extents, duration, and motion. The substance that we are most familiar with is matter.
SYSTEM
Origin: “that stands together.” In physics, system refers to a physical structure considered as a whole.
.
