A model of atomic structure and function based on the idea that matter is made of light.
Part 1: Why is the idea that matter is made of light worth considering?
The notion of matter made of light probably seems preposterous to you. But it isn't. Not if you take even a little time to think about it. So before you dismiss the idea out of hand, let me try to convince you to give it some thought.
Just at first glance, the idea that light and matter are made of the same type of stuff can be easily seen in our 2 most important and successful physical theories. The standard model and relativity. Under the standard model of quantum mechanics, 2 aspects of matter and light behavior are barely distinguishable. Both matter and light behave like both particles and waves. I read the fact that matter behaves like light at the quantum level as a clue that matter and light have something fundamental in common, and that they could be different manifestations of the same type of energy.
Now consider relativity. Arguably the most successful description of nature ever developed. Let's consider a few of the equations of relativity -- the most important ones Einstein published in 1905. The equation describing the amount of energy contained in matter, and the 2 equations describing how space, time and mass are altered as matter moves through what Einstein called the space time fabric. When we look at those equations, what do we see? What these 3 revolutionary equations have in common is the figure C(2). Why is that? Why is it necessary to describe matter in terms of light behavior? If we think of matter as constituted from something different than light, we're hard pressed to say why the mathematics of our most successful physical theory of matter is littered with light. But if we consider the possibility that matter is made of light, there is no difficulty in reconciling the necessity of C(2) in a description of matter. It is the most natural idea that could be imagined.
Let's look at another example of standard model proposed and verified experimental evidence. The fact that 2 particles of matter, an electron and a positron (a positron is considered "antimatter", but it a has mass and an equivalent energy content, just like "regular" matter, so I'm treating them both as matter here), come into conact, anihilate, and turn into...light. How does that happen? If matter can become light, then is it really preposterous to consider that it might be made of light?
There are lots of other reasons the idea of light matter seems very natural to me. And I'll explain some of those below. I mean to try to convince you the idea of light matter is much more sound than it appears at first glance.
But I'll admit that I've tried before and failed to get other people to consider this idea. And most of them quickly start wondering if I've fallen off my rocker. Maybe their instincts are right. Maybe this notion is a pipe dream. Maybe science is already heading in the right direction to develop what Einstein dreamed of. "A complete worldview [including the quantum world] that is in accord with the principle of relativity". But anyone who understands our physical science today, even at a basic level, knows that we're nowhere near realizing that goal yet.
I propose that a model of matter based on the idea that it is made of light is obvious and simple, and that it fits with what we've learned through experiment about how matter behaves. In particular, I'll try to show how the light model explains how and why elements arrange themselves geometrically as they do in in a sample set of molecules. And how the same effects apply generally to all molecules. Also, how this model leads to explanations for a few organic and inorganic processes that are different, and I would argue more realistic, than the explanations our current science offers. Those are the main goals of this series of diaries on the nature of matter.
My goal here is simply to set the stage for you to consider the possibility that the C(2) in E=MC(2) is not just an arbitrary coincidence. But rather, that it stands as a direct signpost, pointing out to us that the energy contained in matter is light energy.
Here are Part2 and Part 3
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