Are all atomic particles the same age?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of whether all atomic particles are the same age, exploring the nature of atomic particles, their creation and destruction, and the concept of age in relation to matter and energy. Participants delve into definitions and implications of what constitutes "atomic particles" and the smallest known constituents of matter.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that particles are created and destroyed constantly, questioning the definition of "atomic particles" and whether it includes only protons and neutrons or also their constituent quarks.
  • There is a suggestion that the term "smallest stuff" refers to subatomic particles, but the exact nature of this "stuff" remains unclear.
  • One participant proposes that everything must have an ultimate age, regardless of its previous forms, and questions whether all matter was created simultaneously or over time.
  • Another participant emphasizes the distinction between mass and energy, noting that energy is not a physical substance but an abstract quantity, and raises the issue of how to define the age of "stuff" based on these concepts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definition of atomic particles and the implications of their age. There is no consensus on whether all particles are the same age or how to define the "smallest stuff." The discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include ambiguity in the definitions of "atomic particles" and "smallest stuff," as well as the dependence on how age is defined in relation to matter and energy.

AtomicJoe
Messages
204
Reaction score
0
As above really
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
no, particles get created and destroyed all the time, but I do have to say I'm not really clear on what you mean by atomic particles. Do you mean only those that make up atoms? If so do you mean, for example protons and neutrons but not their quarks? What exactly DO you mean. I assume you are leaving out photons for some reason.
 
phinds said:
no, particles get created and destroyed all the time, but I do have to say I'm not really clear on what you mean by atomic particles. Do you mean only those that make up atoms? If so do you mean, for example protons and neutrons but not their quarks? What exactly DO you mean. I assume you are leaving out photons for some reason.

I mean what I say, 'the stuff' the smallest stuff we know, I am not sure what that is nowadays but smaller than an atom.

What is the smallest stuff produced in particle accelerators?

But whatever it be, be it energy or matter or matter-energy, if you like, everything must have an ultimate age even if it was once something else.

More basically was all the stuff created at the same time?

Or did it take a while?
 
AtomicJoe said:
I mean what I say, 'the stuff' the smallest stuff we know, I am not sure what that is nowadays but smaller than an atom.

What is the smallest stuff produced in particle accelerators?

But whatever it be, be it energy or matter or matter-energy, if you like, everything must have an ultimate age even if it was once something else.

More basically was all the stuff created at the same time?

Or did it take a while?

This "stuff" you mention requires an explanation of what it is. The smallest physical objects are all subatomic particles such as electrons, quarks, etc. These can all be created from and turned into different forms of energy. Energy itself is not a physical substance, but an abstract quantity. Any change or transfer in energy has accompanying mass with it. Both mass and energy are always conserved.

So, what is this "stuff"? Mass, energy, something else? The only answer I can possibly give is that I don't know. An easy answer would be that everything is 13+ billion years old, but it depends on how we define this "stuff".
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Does gravity affect aging on different planets?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Undergrad How Does Space Travel Affect Natural Aging?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
High School Dark Energy: Are We All Missing The Obvious?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
High School How Do We Calculate the Number of Atoms in the Universe?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Undergrad Could the Universe Be Much Older Than 13.8 Billion Years?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
High School Am I attracted to a hydrogen atom 1 billion light years away?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
High School I wonder about a particle's energy when mass is obtained or lost
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Undergrad Why on Earth do we not see older stars close to us?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
High School Why did Rutherford conclude the atom was mostly empty space?
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
3K
Undergrad Can anyone solve this age problem?
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
4K