These are the shared properties or relationships between the four:
| Concept Pair | Similarity |
|---|---|
| Light & Energy | Light is a form of energy (electromagnetic radiation). |
| Mass & Matter | Mass is a property of matter—specifically, how much "stuff" it has. |
| Matter & Energy | Matter can store energy (as kinetic, potential, chemical, etc.). |
| Light & Matter | In quantum physics, light can behave like a particle (photon), similar to matter. |
| All four | All are related in relativistic and quantum physics—interchangeable or interacting. |
3. DIFFERENT THINGS
Here’s how they differ at a fundamental level:
| Concept | What it is | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Light | A form of electromagnetic radiation, with no rest mass | Sunlight, laser beam |
| Energy | The ability to do work or cause change | Heat, light, kinetic energy, chemical energy |
| Mass | A measure of an object’s resistance to acceleration and its energy content | 1 kg brick, 70 kg human |
| Matter | Anything that has mass and occupies space | Air, water, steel, you |
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Light: Has no rest mass, but has energy.
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Energy: Abstract quantity; shows up in many forms.
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Mass: Quantity of matter or stored energy.
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Matter: Substance made of atoms or particles.
In Summary:
| Item | Is it the same as others? | Is it similar to others? | How is it different? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | = Energy (form of it) | Like matter in quantum behavior | No mass, no volume |
| Energy | = Mass (convertible) | Found in all things | Abstract, not tangible |
| Mass | = Energy (by conversion) | Property of matter | Not a "thing", but a measure of matter/energy |
| Matter | Has mass & stores energy | Interacts with light, energy, mass | Has volume and occupies space; made of atoms |