Question on Matter/Anti-matter

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In summary, matter and anti-matter are two forms of the same elementary particles, with the main difference being their opposite charges. They are created in high-energy environments and have potential applications in medical imaging and space travel. However, harnessing anti-matter as a source of energy is currently not feasible. The origin of anti-matter in the universe is still a mystery, with theories suggesting equal creation in the early stages of the universe or its existence in other parts of the universe.
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phetuspolice
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I've read how in the early early universe, there were massive amounts of collisions between matter and anti-matter, about a billion of each annihilated to every atom left over.
My question is, what happened to all that energy?
 
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phetuspolice said:
I've read how in the early early universe, there were massive amounts of collisions between matter and anti-matter, about a billion of each annihilated to every atom left over.
My question is, what happened to all that energy?

Without going into a lot of detail, it is the cosmic microwave background.
 
  • #3


This is a great question! The energy from the annihilation of matter and anti-matter in the early universe is believed to have been converted into radiation, specifically photons. This radiation became the cosmic microwave background (CMB) that we can still detect today. The CMB is the leftover energy from the Big Bang and is considered one of the strongest pieces of evidence for the Big Bang theory. So, while the matter and anti-matter annihilations may seem like a lot of energy, it is relatively small compared to the vast amount of energy released during the Big Bang. Hope this helps answer your question!
 

What is the difference between matter and anti-matter?

Matter and anti-matter are essentially two sides of the same coin. Both are made up of elementary particles such as protons, neutrons, and electrons. The main difference is that matter is made up of particles with a positive charge, while anti-matter is made up of particles with a negative charge. When matter and anti-matter come into contact, they annihilate each other, releasing a large amount of energy.

How is anti-matter created?

Anti-matter is created in high-energy environments such as particle accelerators. In these environments, particles with high energy collide and produce equal amounts of matter and anti-matter. However, in our universe, we observe a significant imbalance between matter and anti-matter. This is one of the biggest mysteries in physics and is still being studied by scientists.

What are the potential applications of anti-matter?

One potential application of anti-matter is in medical imaging. Anti-matter particles, when they come into contact with matter, produce gamma rays that can be used to create detailed images of the body. Another potential application is in propulsion systems for space travel, as anti-matter reactions release a large amount of energy that can be used to propel spacecrafts.

Can anti-matter be harnessed as a source of energy?

While anti-matter reactions release a large amount of energy, the process of creating and containing anti-matter is extremely difficult and expensive. Currently, it is not feasible to harness anti-matter as a source of energy. However, research is ongoing to find ways to efficiently create and store anti-matter for potential future energy use.

What are the current theories about the origin of anti-matter in the universe?

There are several theories about the origin of anti-matter in the universe. One theory suggests that in the early stages of the universe, matter and anti-matter were created in equal amounts, but due to some unknown process, matter prevailed and anti-matter was mostly annihilated. Another theory proposes that anti-matter may exist in other parts of the universe, separated from us by vast distances. Scientists are still studying and trying to understand the origins of anti-matter in the universe.

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