Читать книгу String Theory For Dummies - Andrew Zimmerman Jones - Страница 84

One of the traits of matter (the “stuff” that everything is made of) is that it requires force to do something. (There are some exceptions to this, but as a rule, a force is any influence that produces a change, or prevents a change, in a physical quantity.) Mass is the property that allows matter to resist a change in motion (in other words, the ability to resist force). Another key trait of matter is that it’s conserved, meaning it can’t be created or destroyed but can only change forms. (Einstein’s theory of relativity showed this wasn’t entirely true, as you see in Chapter 6.)

Without matter, the universe would be a pretty boring place. Matter is all around you. The book you’re reading, as you lean back comfortably in your matter-laden chair, is made of matter. You yourself are made of matter. But what, exactly, is this stuff called matter?