Matter non matter
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Understanding Matter and Non-Matter: Philosophical and Physical Perspectives
Idealism and the Non-Existence of Matter
Philosophical Idealism: Matter as an Illusion
Philosophical idealism posits that the universe is fundamentally mental rather than material. This perspective suggests that what we perceive as physical objects, such as chairs and tables, are not truly material but rather constructs of the mind. Idealists argue that matter is, in some sense, illusory and not quite real. This view has been supported by various philosophers who have provided compelling reasons to regard matter as an illusion1.
Non-Abelian States of Matter in Quantum Mechanics
Quantum Mechanics: Beyond Fermions and Bosons
In the realm of quantum mechanics, elementary particles are traditionally classified as either fermions or bosons. However, in certain two-dimensional systems, interactions between electrons or atoms can lead to the formation of quasiparticles that do not fit into this dichotomy. These are known as non-Abelian states of matter. Non-Abelian states are characterized by a degenerate ground state, where the interchange of identical quasiparticles can shift the system between different ground states. This unique property is currently being explored in systems exhibiting the fractional quantum Hall effect, with potential applications in quantum computation2.
The Boundary Between Living and Nonliving Matter
Defining the Transition: Physical vs. Biological Matter
The distinction between living and nonliving matter is a fundamental question in the study of life sciences. Researchers have sought to define the boundary between physical and biological matter, exploring how nonliving matter transitions into living systems. This inquiry delves into the essential characteristics that differentiate biological entities from mere physical substances, aiming to understand the emergence of life from nonliving components3.
Conclusion
The concept of matter and non-matter spans diverse fields, from philosophical idealism, which questions the very existence of material objects, to advanced quantum mechanics, which explores exotic states of matter beyond traditional classifications. Additionally, the study of living versus nonliving matter seeks to unravel the mysteries of life's origins. Each perspective offers unique insights into the nature of reality, challenging our understanding of what constitutes matter.
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The Non-existence of Matter
Idealism suggests that matter is not real, and that objects like chairs and tables are not material, as they are not a part of the external world.
Non-Abelian states of matter
Non-Abelian states of matter, where quasiparticles break the fermion-boson dichotomy, may be useful for quantum computation in systems with the fractional quantum Hall effect.
Highly CitedLiving and Nonliving Matter
In their Perspective “Transitions from nonliving to living matter” (13 Feb., p. [963][1]), S. Rasmussen et al. formulate the question: What is the difference between living and nonliving matter? They later reformulate this question as: What is the boundary between physical and biological
Non-living soil organic matter: what do we know about it?
Non-living soil organic matter contributes to soil structure, fertility, and various functions, but its precise role and distribution remain unclear.
Literature ReviewHighly CitedStudents’ progression in understanding the matter concept
Students progress in understanding four big ideas about matter (structure, composition, physical properties, chemical reaction, and conservation) through a hierarchical series of levels, with three of them developing in parallel.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedConverting nonrelativistic dark matter to radiation
Converting nonrelativistic dark matter to radiation is a viable scenario, and observations of the cosmic microwave background strongly constrain this scenario for all conversion times after big bang nucleosynthesis.
Highly CitedNon-Abelian dark matter and dark radiation
This paper explores a new non-Abelian gauge theory that suggests dark matter is charged with respect to 'dark' gluons, leading to self-interacting dark radiation and unique experimental signatures.
Highly CitedWHAT IS DARK MATTER?
Dark matter is a non-relativistic, cold, non-relativistic particle that is observed in the universe and has been detected through various methods.
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