51
Essences of Interaction
horizontal components of the force of gravity opposed by the opposite force
due to the peaks and valleys that characterizes the surface roughness that
“locks” the two blocks together. Forces do not interact, masses interact (and
therefore energy changes). The piece of wood on the bottom (i.e., sandwiched
between the top piece of wood and the Earth) exerts a force on the Earth
equal to its mass plus the mass of the piece of wood above multiplied by the
acceleration of Earth’s gravity (mean acceleration at the Earth’s surface equals
9.83 m/s 2 ). In this static situation where there is no relative movement
between any of the three objects, we observe no interaction. Even though the
three objects (two pieces of wood and the Earth) are touching (and there is a
force in the direction of the Earth’s core), there is no movement. If there is no
movement, there is no exchange of energy, and therefore no interaction.
Physically, the surface fibers of the wood are mechanically locked together
through their touching peaks and valley of surface roughness. Likewise, the
bottom piece of wood does not move under the weight of the block above.
The forces that are operative in the example Earth–wood–wood domain have
not resulted in any movement. We are assuming there is no temperature differential between the Earth and the pieces of wood (i.e., no thermal energy
transfers), and no other bonding between the Earth and the pieces of wood
or between the pieces of wood. Simple contact between objects is not an
interaction, unless there is an exchange of EMMI. For an interaction to occur
there must be a transfer of energy, not the mere presence of a force.
Matter
Energy is also related to mass, where mass is the intrinsic property of matter
(as measured by quantity of material). Matter is the structure of physical
objects. An interaction based on transferring mass from one object to another
results in a loss of mass (and energy) from the sending object and a possible
net gain in mass (and energy) by the receiving object. The energy it takes for
the receiving object to “take on” the mass may (or may not) require more
energy than is the gain realized from the interaction. A net loss is possible.
As with any EMMI interaction, the receiving object may or may not have a
net positive gain due to the interaction, depending on the amount of EMMI
expended through the interaction process.
Material Wealth
Matter is sometimes expressed as material wealth (De Marco 1960). Material
wealth can be thought of as cash, investments (e.g., stocks, bonds, and
marketable securities), and other equivalents (credit and debit cards). The rate
of interaction of material wealth can be changed by enactments of law (e.g.,
taxes and encumbrances); interactions with individuals or institutions through
investments, exchanges, financial transactions, and barter; general economic
decisions that impact on the normal actions of living in society, and profligate