Foundations (Apr 2023)

Different Mass Definitions and Their Pluses and Minuses Related to Gravity

  • Espen Gaarder Haug

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/foundations3020017
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3, no. 2
pp. 199 – 219

Abstract

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The discussion of what matter and mass are has been going on for more than 2500 years. Much has been discovered about mass in various areas, such as relativity theory and modern quantum mechanics. Still, quantum mechanics has not been unified with gravity. This indicates that there is perhaps something essential not understood about mass in relation to gravity. In relation to gravity, several new mass definitions have been suggested in recent years. We will provide here an overview of a series of potential mass definitions and how some of them appear likely preferable for a potential improved understanding of gravity at a quantum level. This also has implications for practical things such as getting gravity predictions with minimal uncertainty.

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