MadSci Network: Physics |
Greetings Mr. Arthurs-- Thank you for your question. I would imagine that the order being discussed here is the order concerning the formation of aggregate matter. There are four general forces to consider when dealing with matter formation and interaction: (1) strong nuclear force, (2) weak nuclear force, (3) electromagnetic force, and (4) the gravitational force. The first two deal with matter on a subatomic level, mostly within the nucleus. It is the interaction between nucleons (protons and neutrons) that are governed by the strong and weak nuclear forces. These deal with the formation of nuclei and how the nuclei interact with each other. So in addition to the intranuclear forces, when molecules form, there is an internuclear force between the two or more atoms forming the molecule. Electromagnetic forces are present in the formation of matter as well. It is the electromagnetic forces that keep the negatively charged electron present in the electron cloud around a positively charged nucleus. They also contribute to the formation of molecules, governing the bonding of the individual atoms and the shape and size of the molecules themselves. Gravitational forces, of course, are responsible for the interactions between large objects such as planets, stars, asteroids, etc. This is a much weaker force than the electromagnetic, which is about 10^39 times stronger than gravity, and 10^13 times stronger than the weak nuclear force. There certainly is an order to the way these forces cause matter to interact, which is implied in the mathematical formulas for the forces. For example, both the electromagnetic force and gravitational force are inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the particles or bodies being gauged. The nuclear forces also are determined by distance, the strong force in particular being dual in nature. From relatively long distances, the strong nuclear force is attractive, while at closer distances, it is repulsive. Distances aside, there are also physical constants that contribute to the interactions between matter. In the mathematical formulas that describe these interactions, there are constant values that are present in every reaction of that type. They contribute the same value whether you are interested in the attraction between a single proton and a single neutron at the distance of a meter, or whether you are studying the numerous attractions and repulsions present in a hemoglobin molecule. Surely without consistency and order to these laws, there would be no classification possible to the universe. As of now, we can classify matter by studying its properties, including charge, atomic makeup, etc. If there was no order to the makeup of matter, there would be no classes possible because there would be an infinite amount of classes! Each instance of matter would be its own new example, constantly breaking apart and reforming. Here is your soup full of nucleons, electrons and other particles mentioned by your TV guide. The soup would be constantly changing, the laws of nature themselves would be amorphous. Consider the amount of known matter in the universe now. Somewhere in that vast sample of elementary particles life might form somewhere, but for how long? The proper conditions may exist for a few Earth years (or even millennia) but the laws governing their formation and interactions not being constant, how long would it remain? This is totally aside from the external conditions that would be comparable to those that may affect life on Earth. Without the order inherent to the forces which make up matter, it is unstable and highly unlikely that life would maintain a hold anywhere. I hope this helps a bit. Matt
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Physics.