Detecting Energy: Can We Know Beyond Inductive Reasoning?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the relationship between energy and matter and whether energy can exist beyond our ability to observe it through its effects on matter. The original poster questions if energy is truly known outside of its impact on matter and whether this implies a dependence on matter for its existence. Some participants argue that energy has a physical meaning and is not solely dependent on matter. The conversation also touches on the concept of a heat death where all matter is converted into energy, leading to a discussion on the role of matter in the existence of energy. Eventually, the conversation is locked as it strays from the topics of physics and philosophy.
  • #1
supertodda
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Can we only detect energy by its effect on matter? i.e. we detect temperature because it makes the mercury move, sun’s heat because it makes us feel warm, etc.

In other words, does energy really exist beyond inductive reasoning?
 
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  • #2
In other words, does energy really exist beyond inductive reasoning?

What do you have in mind?
 
  • #3
My intention is not to disprove energy or anything, I firmly believe in science, energy and matter. I do want to see if this is the prevailing consensus so I can sort some things out with a philosophical argument I have.

I can go into the philosophy in another thread under the correct forum, but right now that is not what I have planned. I'm really just looking for an answer to this simple question. Or is this question not so simple?

Thanks.
-T
 
  • #4
A further clarification…

I guess what I’m asking is if anything is really known outside of people observing matter changing. We can’t see energy or really know its properties unless we can look at the pattern in which it changes matter. Is this correct?
 
  • #5
Can I request to the moderator to move this thread to the Philosophy forum?

Thanks.
 
  • #6
supertodda said:
AI guess what I’m asking is if anything is really known outside of people observing matter changing. We can’t see energy or really know its properties unless we can look at the pattern in which it changes matter. Is this correct?
"Matter changing" is [a clumsy way of saying] what energy is, so the answer is a clear yes. Dropping a rock from a certain distance, for example. You can see the rock and you can see the distance. That's potential energy. Drop it and it falls. That's kinetic energy.

Do you drive? How do you tell how much braking force is required to stop your car in a certain distance? Through practice, you get an intuitive feel for the amount of energy there is in a certain speed.

And no, this isn't philosophy. Energy has a clear physical meaning.
 
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  • #7
Energy is just a quantity that stays constant during the movement of the object. different kinds of energy are ways of calculating this quantity in different situations. since it is conserved, it's harder to make a big change in the energy than a small one (it's harder to stop a fast car than a slow one).

And anyway, how can you measure something without it affecting the instrument that you're measuring with.
 
  • #8
So my philosophical point is that from the Human consciousness point of view, energy relies on matter to exist. If there was no matter to perform work on, then energy as we know it cannot exist. If the universe ends up in Heat Death – all matter being converted into energy, then there is nothing to apply force to. Anything wrong with this reasoning?

Though matter and energy do exist from our point of view... And this is one of the arguments of my philosophy.
 
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  • #9
Ummm...errr...correct...maybe?

Thanks for reminding me why I can't stand philosophy.
 
  • #10
supertodda said:
So my philosophical point is that from the Human consciousness point of view, energy relies on matter to exist.
No. There are other forms of energy, like electromagnetic.
If there was no matter to perform work on, then energy as we know it cannot exist. If the universe ends up in Heat Death – all matter being converted into energy, then there is nothing to apply force to. Anything wrong with this reasoning?
No, except for the part where it contradicts itself... :biggrin: You just mentioned a heat death where everything is energy, yet above you said energy depends on matter.

Anyway, I don't see any philosophy here.
 
  • #11
This thread has strayed into something that is neither physics nor philosophy (nor does it fit with any other topics on this site). Therefore, it is locked.
 

FAQ: Detecting Energy: Can We Know Beyond Inductive Reasoning?

How do we detect different forms of energy?

There are several ways to detect different forms of energy, depending on the type of energy being studied. For example, we can detect light energy using our eyes, sound energy using our ears, and heat energy using thermometers. Other forms of energy, such as electrical energy, can be detected using specialized equipment.

Can we detect all forms of energy?

No, there are some forms of energy that we cannot detect using our senses or current technology. For example, we cannot directly detect dark matter or dark energy, but we can observe their effects on other matter and energy in the universe.

How does inductive reasoning play a role in detecting energy?

Inductive reasoning is the process of making generalizations based on specific observations. In the context of detecting energy, scientists use inductive reasoning to make hypotheses about the behavior of different forms of energy based on their observations and experiments. These hypotheses can then be tested and refined through further experimentation.

What are some challenges in detecting energy?

One of the main challenges in detecting energy is that it can exist in different forms and can be transformed from one form to another. This makes it difficult to measure and quantify, especially for more elusive forms of energy like dark matter and dark energy. Additionally, some forms of energy are extremely small and require advanced technology to detect.

How does detecting energy contribute to scientific advancements?

Detecting energy is essential for understanding the fundamental workings of the universe and for developing new technologies. By studying different forms of energy and their interactions, scientists can make new discoveries and advancements in fields such as physics, chemistry, and biology. For example, advancements in energy detection have led to the development of renewable energy sources and improved medical imaging techniques.

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