Can Antimatter Universe Follow Physical Laws of Matter Universe?

In summary, the conversation discusses whether an antimatter Universe would follow the same physical laws as our own matter Universe and whether the boundary conditions would be the same. It is mentioned that we do not have any principles to determine the boundary conditions and that the theory of inflation is successful in some ways but a failure in others, although it is not a failure in observational regards.
  • #1
Cosmo Novice
367
3
Hello,
Just having a few thoughts and wondered if anyone can answer:
Would an antimatter Universe be expected to follow the same physical laws as our own matter Universe, in a nutshell: inflation, then expansion and unltimately ending in a heat death?

Thanks
 
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  • #2
Cosmo Novice said:
Hello,
Just having a few thoughts and wondered if anyone can answer:
Would an antimatter Universe be expected to follow the same physical laws as our own matter Universe, in a nutshell: inflation, then expansion and unltimately ending in a heat death?

There are two different questions there.

One is whether the physical laws would be the same: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-symmetry

The other is whether the boundary conditions (i.e., basically the initial conditions) of the universe would be the same. I don't think we have any physical principles that allow us to say anything about the boundary conditions of the universe.

BTW, we don't know if inflation really happened. It's a theory that's successful in some ways and a failure in others.
 
  • #3
bcrowell said:
BTW, we don't know if inflation really happened. It's a theory that's successful in some ways and a failure in others.
Well, it's not a failure in any observational regard, as near as I can tell. Some people don't like some of the theoretical aspects of it, but that is a different story.
 
  • #4
Chalnoth said:
Well, it's not a failure in any observational regard, as near as I can tell. Some people don't like some of the theoretical aspects of it, but that is a different story.
I agree.
 
  • #5
for your question! This is a very interesting and complex topic in the field of physics. The short answer is that we don't know for sure, but there are some theories and evidence that suggest that an antimatter universe could follow similar physical laws as our own matter universe.

First, let's define what we mean by an "antimatter universe." This would be a hypothetical universe where the majority of matter is made up of antimatter particles, which have the opposite charge and spin as regular matter particles. In our universe, matter and antimatter particles usually annihilate each other when they come into contact, releasing a large amount of energy. So, in an antimatter universe, this annihilation process would likely dominate and have a significant impact on the laws and behavior of the universe.

One theory that supports the idea of an antimatter universe following similar physical laws is the theory of CPT symmetry. This is a fundamental principle in physics that states that the laws of physics should be the same for particles and their antiparticles, if you reverse the direction of time (T), invert the charge (C), and take the mirror image (P). So, according to this theory, an antimatter universe should have the same physical laws as our own matter universe.

Another interesting piece of evidence comes from observations of cosmic rays, which are high-energy particles that come from outer space. Scientists have found that the composition of cosmic rays is about 50% matter and 50% antimatter, which suggests that there may be regions of the universe where antimatter is more prevalent. This could potentially indicate the existence of an antimatter universe that follows similar physical laws as our own.

However, there are still many unanswered questions and unknowns about the nature of antimatter and how it would behave in a universe. For example, we don't know if antimatter would experience gravity in the same way as regular matter, and if it would contribute to the expansion of the universe in the same way. More research and experimentation is needed to fully understand the potential laws and behaviors of an antimatter universe.

In conclusion, while there is some evidence and theories that suggest an antimatter universe could follow similar physical laws as our own matter universe, we cannot say for sure without further research and exploration. It's a fascinating topic to explore and I hope we continue to learn more about it in the future.
 

1. Can an antimatter universe exist?

There is currently no evidence to suggest that an antimatter universe exists. However, some theories in physics, such as the Big Bang theory, suggest that equal amounts of matter and antimatter were created at the beginning of the universe. Further research and experimentation is needed to determine if an antimatter universe is possible.

2. Can antimatter follow the same physical laws as matter?

According to the Standard Model of particle physics, antimatter particles have the same mass, spin, and other physical properties as their corresponding matter particles. Therefore, it is believed that antimatter would follow the same physical laws as matter.

3. How is antimatter different from matter?

Antimatter particles have the same mass as their corresponding matter particles, but they have opposite electric charge and other quantum numbers. When a matter and antimatter particle come into contact, they annihilate each other, releasing energy in the form of gamma rays.

4. Can antimatter and matter coexist in the same universe?

It is possible for antimatter and matter to coexist in the same universe, but they would need to be separated in order to prevent annihilation. Some scientists believe that there may be pockets of antimatter in our universe, but they have not been observed yet.

5. What are the potential implications of an antimatter universe?

If an antimatter universe were to exist, it could have significant implications for our understanding of the universe and the laws of physics. It could also potentially provide insight into the mystery of why there is more matter than antimatter in our universe.

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