Conservation of energy

Energy within the context of the spiritual world has a distinct definition.  It is from energy that ‘spirit’ – the software of the universe – is formed.

Unlike the analogy of the computer world, spirit can be both function and form – it is ordered energy, programmed energy and can thus be both matter as we perceive it - form - and function which is only evident by its effects – for example electromagnetic radiation.

The word ‘energy’ in physics has a different meaning.  ‘Physical energy’ in physics is more correctly spirit – programmed energy, functional energy.  Thus in the different types of energy which we have recognised up to now, we have in effect recognised the existence of function which has no form.  There are millions of other functions we have not even begun to explore, but at least by recognising the existence of functions invisible to us, we have recognised the existence of spirit.  A first step on the road to understanding.

Example Functions we call ‘energy’

Several different forms of ‘physical energy’ have been defined to explain some functions we are unable to perceive, but which we know of by their effects:

• Kinetic energy - is the function that accelerates an object to a given speed.  At speeds approaching the speed of light, this function uses Lorentz transformations
• Electrical energy - The electric potential energy of a given configuration of charges is also a function capable of being expressed, for two point-like charges Q₁ and Q₂ at a distance r, using a formula which uses the produce of the two charges divided by the distance r, and the electric constant of a vacuum
• Thermal energy - (of some media - gas, plasma, solid, etc) is the energy associated with the microscopic random motion of particles constituting the media. Again this can be expressed functionally.
• Gravitational energy -  The potential gravitational energy, according to Newton’s laws, between two bodies of masses m₁ and m₂, is proportional to the product of the two masses, times the gravitational constant and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the point masses.  Thus it too is a function.  Newton actually expressed both repelling action and attracting action which could be applied at atomic level and explained how aggregates were formed
• Sound  energy - is vibration transmitted through matter.  The mechanical vibrations that can be interpreted as sound can travel through all forms of matter - gases, liquids, solids, and plasmas. However, sound cannot propagate through a vacuum. The matter that supports the sound is called the medium.  We have invented the concept of a wave to physically show the result, but again this can be expressed functionally.
• Elastic energy - is the energy which causes or is released by the elastic distortion of a solid or a fluid. It is defined as the work needed to compress (or expand) a spring and is expressed using Hooke's law - a function.  Elastic potential energy is defined as the work needed to compress (or expand) a spring. The force, F, in a spring or any other system is proportional to the extension or compression, x,  [F = − kx]  where k is the force constant of the particular spring (or system).  So we have a formula or a law – we have a function
• Chemical energy - may be defined as the work done by electric forces during re-arrangement of electric charges, electrons and protons, in the process of aggregation. If the chemical energy of a system decreases during a chemical reaction, the difference is transferred to the surroundings in some form (often heat or light); on the other hand if the chemical energy of a system increases as a result of a chemical reaction - the difference then is supplied by the surroundings (usually again in the form of heat or light). Yet again we are expressing a function, something that happens, an activity
• Nuclear energy -  is the energy released from nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. The result of both these processes are nuclei in which strong nuclear forces bind nuclear particles more strongly and closely. Nuclear particles like protons and neutrons are thus not destroyed.  Instead,  fission and fusion release energy in the form of heat and electromagnetic radiation.  The energy from the Sun, also called solar energy, is an example of this form of energy conversion. In the Sun, the process of hydrogen fusion converts about 4 million metric tons of solar matter per second into light, which is radiated into space, but during this process, the number of total protons and neutrons in the sun does not change.  And the entire process can be expressed functionally

The law of conservation of energy

All physical energy is subject to the law of conservation of energy. According to this law, the total amount of energy in a system can neither be created (produced) nor destroyed. It can only be transformed from one form to another.  This is as true for biological systems as it is for inorganic systems.  Thus, for example, chemical energy may be turned into electromagnetic energy by glowworms.  

Every transformation of energy into one form from another requires some process or ‘device’ to achieve it.  A battery, for example coverts chemical energy to electric energy; a dam first converts the gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy [of moving water] and then via the secondary device of a turbine and generator to electric energy.  The same is true of biological systems except that the ‘device’ here is clearly not man made, it is a cell or organ or some part of a living creature.

We tend to think of this physically and I have described it physically to help in understanding, but all transformation is a functional transformation.  It is achieved by the interaction of functions, the inter dependency of functions, the underlying device is necessary but the key aspect of this is a process.  The device merely has some function.

There is thus a far more universal law in operation here and rather than think of it as conservation of energy one might better think of it as the rule of input/output.

There is a constant amount of energy in our universe.  Some of it has been ordered [programmed] to become function.  Every function has to have by definition one or more inputs and every function has by definition one or more outputs.  The function then becomes the means by which input is converted to output.  In that process what goes in has to come out albeit in a new form and vice versa, what comes out must have been capable of being derived via the function from what comes in. 

The law applies to data and apparent activity of material things.  There is ‘conservation’ of all input to produce output.

The mystic view

Mystics, who have long since recognised this functional aspect, perceive the universe to be perpetually renewing itself.  The continual execution of function leaves a trail of perceptions in its wake but it is also only by execution of the functions that we exist at all.  The solid three dimensional world that we are presented with by our senses is simply a tiny snapshot in time which is forever changing.  We do not see the past log of executions nor do we see the possible futures.  The view we have is in some senses a two dimensional view – a glance across a plane that in reality is a massive box.

• The physical world is just solidified energy
• At some point it ‘solidifies’ according to a set of rules
• Its next state is governed by the sum total of all actions at that point
• The complete physical layer then moves on to the next physical state governed by the next set of actions.
• The physical word is the sum of all log states
• It is the execution of activity that creates matter

See also the Expanding universe.

Observations

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• Schrodinger, Erwin - What is Life - Aggregates