People usually misunderstand the fundamental level of mass and think everything is made of particles. In quantum physics, the fundamental level of Mass is made of fields.
According to Quantum Field Theory (QFT), the underlying quantum fields in which particles in their excited states, an increased energy level above a chosen starting point, are more fundamental than the particles. The interactions between the fields with the Higgs Field* produce the physical world in the form of particles.
This is the scientific proof of the possibility of creation.
There are 3 fundamental forces in the universe, Electromagnetism Force, Strong Force and Weak Force, (Gravitation force is too weak in a quantum level, so it’s negligible here) all bound together by a special field called the Higgs Field.
The famous Standard Model in Quantum Field Theory states that everything is made of 12 subatomic particles, such as electrons (made of Up Quarks and Down Quarks) , Nucleus (made of Protons and Neutrons) and Neutrino, interacting with all previous mentioned 3 forces and Higgs Field. These interactions generate energy, hence mass is created.
How do these interactions with the Higgs field create mass?
Mass is an interchangeable term of energy according to Einstein’s famous E=MC^2, in which M is Mass and E is Energy. The C^2 is the speed of light squared, which is the conversion factor.
The energy/mass comes from the total of all the energy of the atoms that it’s made of. It’s said that 99% of the mass/energy comes from the binding energy within the nucleus due to the strong force. Only 1% of the mass/energy comes from Electron Neutrino, which is electrons from around the nucleus, as well as the quarks that make up protons and neutrons. Yet, this 1% interacts with the Higgs field that gives energy to everything in the universe. According to Quantum physics, the Higgs field governs the weak/fusion force that creates all life forms.
The Higgs field was first suggested in the 1960s by a group of scientists. Later in 2012, the Higgs Boson Particles were discovered in a particle accelerator, which directly proves its existence. The Higgs field is permeating everywhere in spacetime/universe.
Among all different types of fields, The Higgs field is the only field that has net positive mass, which can be measured as 246 GeV when it’s in vacuum state(the lowest energy state). Anything that interacts with the Higgs field now effectively interacts with the vacuum expectation value(energy of 246 GeV). And that interaction gives/creates energy. So when a fundamental particle interacts with the Higgs field, it gains an energy or intrinsic mass. For example, with the interaction with the Higgs field, an electron can gain an intrinsic mass/energy of 0.511MeV.
In short, the interaction of the fields with the Higgs field causes an excitation, when enough energy is transferred from the Higgs field, real particles, such as electrons are created.
Without the interaction with the Higgs field, an electron would be massless, it would have energy but only in the form of momentum, just like photons and travel at the speed of light.
In Quantum Physics, the mechanism of the Higgs Field giving out mass to other particles is called Symmetry Breaking. (in case anyone is interested in more technical details.)
( Notes Aug 13, 2024 – This note is written according to my understanding of the Quantum Field Theory and is a simplified/summarized of different materials. )
* I think the Higgs Field most likely refers to energies from the Infinite Creator/GOD Michael.
Main references:
What Is the Higgs Boson? | Sean Carroll Discusses the God Particle (Recommended)
The Standard Model of Particle Physics: A Triumph of Science
The Crazy Mass-Giving Mechanism of the Higgs Field Simplified
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