3 facts that you might not know about antimatter

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    Antimatter Facts
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around various claims and ideas related to antimatter, particularly its potential applications in propulsion and energy storage. Participants explore theoretical aspects, practical challenges, and the feasibility of antimatter spacecraft, with a focus on speed, energy requirements, and production efficiency.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants mention that recent studies suggest antimatter spacecraft could achieve up to 70% the speed of light, reaching Proxima b in about 6 years.
  • Others express skepticism regarding the feasibility of antimatter rockets becoming a reality by 2050, citing the minuscule amount of antimatter produced and the inefficiency of its production.
  • One participant argues that while antimatter is theoretically a good form of energy storage, it is difficult to store and releases light, which complicates its use for propulsion.
  • Another participant provides calculations to illustrate the immense energy requirements for an antimatter spacecraft, questioning the practicality of scaling up energy production to meet these needs.
  • There are multiple interpretations of what an antimatter rocket entails, with some participants confused about the concept of a rocket made of antimatter versus one that uses antimatter as fuel.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views, with some supporting the potential of antimatter propulsion while others challenge the feasibility of the claims made. There is no consensus on the viability of antimatter as a practical energy source or propulsion method.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include unresolved questions about the efficiency of antimatter production, the assumptions underlying energy calculations, and the definitions of terms related to antimatter propulsion.

alberto91
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Hi!

I would like to share with you guys some facts you might not know about antimatter:

1º - Recent studies suggest that an antimatter spacecraft could achieve up to 70% the speed of light, reaching Proxima b in just about 6 years.

2º - The maximum time that antimatter has been stored is 405 days.

3º - According to the former Fermilab physicist Gerald Jackson, antimatter rockets could become a reality by 2050.

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIgpTrmKUZs&list=PL3RiFKfZj3ptaxqH3te_eKz1ge_CxQxjw&index=1

What are your thoughts about antimatter propulsion?
 
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Alberto91 said:
3º - According to the former Fermilab physicist Gerald Jackson, antimatter rockets could become a reality by 2050.

Considering the total amount of antimatter ever produced is absolutely miniscule, and that we don't have efficient means of producing it, I can't see how Gerald Jackson's statement could be taken seriously.

Alberto91 said:
What are your thoughts about antimatter propulsion?

It's a nice idea, but one that is extremely far from being realized.
 
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Anti-matter in theory is the best form of energy storage, however its like trying to blow up a balloon made of wool: it doesn't store easily, not to mention the fact that it generally releases light, which isn't great for propulsion.
 
Alberto91 said:
1º - Recent studies suggest that an antimatter spacecraft could achieve up to 70% the speed of light, reaching Proxima b in just about 6 years.

When I first read this I thought you meant an a rocket made of anti-matter and was wondering how this could possibly work.

Cheers
 
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Alberto91 said:
Hi!

I would like to share with you guys some facts you might not know about antimatter:

1º - Recent studies suggest that an antimatter spacecraft could achieve up to 70% the speed of light, reaching Proxima b in just about 6 years.

2º - The maximum time that antimatter has been stored is 405 days.

3º - According to the former Fermilab physicist Gerald Jackson, antimatter rockets could become a reality by 2050.

What are your thoughts about antimatter propulsion?

Let's do a couple of quick calculations. Assume your spacecraft weighs as much as a Boeing 747, m = 400,000 kg. A speed of 70% of the speed of light is a Lorentz factor of γ = 1.4. The kinetic energy required to accelerate to this speed is (γ-1) m c^2 = 1.4*10^22 Joules. So the antimatter needs to store at least this much energy, plus allowance for efficiency. Now how efficient is the production of anti-matter? Today it is extremely inefficient, but let's be generous and say you can get the efficiency up to 1%. So you need about 10^24 Joules of energy to fuel your spacecraft . How much is this? Total world energy production in 2013 was about 6*10^20 Joules. So is it reasonable to you that in the next 30 years you can ramp up world energy production by a factor of almost 10,000, and then use it all to fuel a spacecraft ?
 
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cosmik debris said:
When I first read this I thought you meant an a rocket made of anti-matter and was wondering how this could possibly work.

I had precisely the same thought. Be careful where you sit!
 
Alberto91 said:
I would like to share with you guys some facts ... What are your thoughts ... ?
My thought is that no, excluding your #2, I don't think you are sharing "facts" at all, except inasmuch as you are repeating nonsense that someone else may in fact have said.

See post #5
 
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