Questioning Strange Matter and Neutronium: Is an Orbital Possible?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties of strange matter and neutronium, particularly in relation to their stability, potential shapes, and implications for constructing an Orbital. Participants explore theoretical aspects of these materials, questioning their fluidity and structural characteristics under various conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether strange matter behaves like a fluid similar to neutronium and if it could maintain a non-spherical shape given advanced technology.
  • Another participant notes that strange matter is theorized to be stable only under extreme conditions, such as those found in neutron stars, and decays quickly on Earth.
  • There is a query about why neutronium requires gravitational pressure to maintain its state after collapsing from atomic form.
  • One participant expresses interest in the stability of strange matter outside of gravitational fields, suggesting that if certain theories are correct, it could be stable without such pressure.
  • There is confusion regarding why neutronium is considered a fluid rather than a solid, with a question about its ability to form a crystal structure.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the properties and behaviors of strange matter and neutronium, with no consensus reached on their stability or structural characteristics.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference theories about strange matter and neutronium that may depend on specific conditions or definitions, but these assumptions are not fully explored or agreed upon.

SkepticJ
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The wikipedia entry on strange matter didn't tell me all I wanted to know, so I'll have to ask here:

Is strange matter a fluid like 'neutronium' matter is? i.e. given advanced enough technology, could a cube or other non-spherical shape of strange matter be created? Or would it form a sphere because it's a fluid and its own gravity would force it to this shape? The wiki said that under some theories strange matter would be stable without gravitational pressure holding it together. Why, may I ask, does 'neutronium' need gravity to stay as 'neutronium' after it has collapsed from atomic form?
The point of all this is I'm trying to find a material that could be the foundation material of an Orbital without needing a fictional material and 'force fields'.
 
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Strange matter is matter which contains strange quarks in addition to the usual up and down. To the best of my knowledge it is stable only under extreme conditions, like in neutron stars. On Earth strange quarks quickly decay into down quarks plus photons.
 
SkepticJ said:
Is strange matter a fluid like 'neutronium' matter is? i.e. given advanced enough technology, could a cube or other non-spherical shape of strange matter be created? Or would it form a sphere because it's a fluid and its own gravity would force it to this shape? The wiki said that under some theories strange matter would be stable without gravitational pressure holding it together. Why, may I ask, does 'neutronium' need gravity to stay as 'neutronium' after it has collapsed from atomic form?
I will direct you to this link, where I recently learned quite a bit about neutronium, I suspect you will enjoy it. It will answer most of your questions

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=83095
 
Mk said:
I will direct you to this link, where I recently learned quite a bit about neutronium, I suspect you will enjoy it. It will answer most of your questions

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=83095




Interesting. :smile:

This doesn't answer why strange matter could be stable outside of a grav field though.(if those theories are right)

I also don't understand why neutronium would be a fluid instead of a solid. Why doesn't it form a crystal structure to be rigid?
 

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