Question

How do matter and energy interact?

Answer 1

Hint:Anything that occupies some space has a mass and everything that has a mass and volume is known as matter. Every matter contains atoms and atoms make up the matter. Energy is defined as the ability to do some sort of work. According to Einstein’s theory of Relativity, energy can be converted into matter and matter can be converted into energy. Energy and matter are one and the same thing but in different contexts.

Formula Used:
Einstein’s equation for energy and matter is given by: \[E = m{c^2}\]
where, \[E\] is the energy, \[m\] is the mass and \[c\] is the speed of light.

Complete step by step answer:
There are three known states of matter. They are solid, liquid and gas. These three states are defined according to the arrangement of atoms and molecules. So, atoms make up the matter. Energy is defined as the ability to do some sort of work.
Energy and matter are related to each other and can be exchanged with each other. The famous equation of Einstein gives the relation between energy and mass.
\[E = m{c^2}\]
Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation and it contains energy. When this radiation is incident on an atom or an electron, it absorbs the incident energy. Hence, the energy of radiation can be converted into other forms of energy.
A nuclear reaction is required for any type of energy to be converted to mass. For example a nuclear reaction such that it absorbs energy and releases a particle that has rest mass. This is called rest-mass energy. This conversion deals with very small amounts of mass and comparatively large amounts of energy.

Note: In natural systems, both energy and matter are conserved within a system. This means that energy and matter can change forms but cannot be created or destroyed. Energy and matter are often cycled within a system, and different forms of matter and energy are able to interact. The surrounding environment must be considered when studying a system’s energy and matter to examine flow into and out of the system.