MadSci Network: Physics
Query:

Re: without the order in complexity would physical matter exist?

Date: Fri Jun 23 19:16:11 2000
Posted By: Matt Tilley, Undergraduate, Physics and Mathematics double major, Arkansas State University
Area of science: Physics
ID: 958354361.Ph
Message:

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





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