3 ms·

I don't get why this is wrong, but I'd appreciate an explanation.

• david-given 12y ago
  I don't know why the parent thinks it's wrong, but I think it's wrong because it's a statement that works at the wrong level of abstraction. Yes, it's quite true that in physics, mass cannot be turned into to energy. But the article's not talking about physics; it's talking about biology, and in biology, fat can be turned into energy --- that's why your body makes it. Yes, of course it's not a nuclear process. The fat's metabolised into energy and waste products, which are excreted mostly through the lungs. Also via the skin, urine, faeces and any other bodily fluid --- one byproduct is water. 'It's turned into energy' is actually the right answer if you're thinking about biology. It's just not a complete one. The article would have done much better to have instead said 'you're right, but' and then gone on to explain, rather than just saying 'if you think this you suck'.