The Meaning of Mass

Abstract

Electron, proton and neutron are described in terms of energy densities on least-action paths to show that their charges, magnetic mo ments and masses are man ifestations of quantized geodesics. According to this geometric under-standing of matter, the mass of a part icle depends on how much the particle-associated curved path projects onto the straight paths of the universal surrounding energy density. The reference density of free space is embodied by the most elementary actions, the photons in propagation on their least-time paths. The vacuum density with rando m distribution of photon phases displays no electromagnetic field, yet the propagation of its force carriers will level off density differences. This manifests itself as gravitation. Transformations fro m one particle to another, for examp le oscillations, are described according to Noether's theorem as changes from one action to another. This physical portrayal of quantized nature, where every entity comprises mu ltip les of the most elementary action, parallels the atomistic tenet.