Mass - What makes something have it?

[FeDeX_LaTeX]

Hello;

What is mass? For example, a photon has no mass, because it does not react with the Higgs field (is this the only reason)? Why does mass exist?

Thanks.

 

[Nickelodeon]

Mass can be converted into energy and visa versa. So there is a clue here. I suppose you just need to answer the question 'What is the difference between matter and energy?'

 

[FeDeX_LaTeX]

So if something has energy it has mass, by E=mc^2, right? Okay...

 

[Nickelodeon]

So if something has energy it has mass, by E=mc^2, right? Okay...

No not entirely true. Something can have energy but no 'effective' mass , photons for example (some of the time). To have mass the energy equivalence has to have either an element of spin (matter) or an acceleration/deceleration. Don't quote me on that but that's how I see it.

 

[FeDeX_LaTeX]

So does a photon have no mass because it does not interact with the Higgs field?

Is that the same with the hypothetical graviton too?

 

[Nickelodeon]

So does a photon have no mass because it does not interact with the Higgs field?

Is that the same with the hypothetical graviton too?

I'm not totally sure, but assuming the Higgs field is real I would say that it must interact with it. It gives then takes away with the net result of zero - it's an oscillation thing .

In so far that the hypothetical graviton will have anything to do with gravity , more than any other virtual particle, is remote. Disclaimer : here again, please don't take my word for it, I think all this a bit on the edge of current knowlege.