Antimatter: Physical Differences, Attraction & Behaviour

[Cosmo Novice]

After reading some basic texts and reading on this forum I understand the early universe had a phase which was dominated by matter/anti matter particle annihilation - this left a surplus of matter - which is the U we know today.

What are the main physical differences between matter/antimatter? Are antimatter particles drawn to matter particles? Do antimatter particles behave the same as matter? Any information would be appreciated.

 

[tiny-tim]

Hi Cosmo Novice!

What are the main physical differences between matter/antimatter?

None except opposite charge …

a "matter" electron is negatively charged, and an anti-matter electron (a positron) is positively charged

a "matter" proton is positively charged, and an anti-matter proton (an anti-proton) is negatively charged.

Are antimatter particles drawn to matter particles?

Only if they have opposite charge

(so eg an electron and a positron will attract, but only for the same reason as an electron and a proton do).

In the early universe, electrons would have been attracted to protons, and positrons to anti-protons … the former molecules are called matter, and the latter anti-matter … the names are purely arbitrary.

Do antimatter particles behave the same as matter?

For virtually all purposes, yes.

 

[Chalnoth]

None except opposite charge …

Well, charge and parity. So a clockwise-rotating electron is the same as a counterclockwise-rotating positron, with opposite charge. So if you build the mirror image of an object, it will only behave the same in all respects as the original if the mirror image is built out of anti-matter.