The discussion centers on the theoretical implications of swapping the charges of fundamental particles, specifically protons and electrons. It concludes that while such a swap is not physically possible due to charge being a fundamental property, the concept of antimatter, particularly proton-antiproton interactions, is explored. The formation of protonium, a bound state of a proton and an antiproton, is noted, which lasts only microseconds before annihilation occurs. The annihilation of matter and antimatter produces gamma rays, highlighting the energy conversion involved in these interactions.
PREREQUISITESPhysicists, students of particle physics, researchers in antimatter studies, and anyone interested in the fundamental interactions of matter and antimatter.
Ok, so a proton is positively charged, right? And an electron is negatively charged. What if the proton was negatively charged and the electron is positively charged? There should be no difference in the orbit of the electron as the charges attract and the mass of the electron and the proton would be unchanged. That's the hypothesis I'm trying to get across.mathman said:Your question is unclear. Where is this swap taking place?
So THIS is antimatter... well, I have another question. If we could synthesize antimatter, a negatively charged proton, let's say, and a normal positively charged one. What would happen if they orbited? Would they be in a binary formation or would they just fall into each other? And if so, what would happen if matter and antimatter collided?jfizzix said:At least by modern understandings, charge is a fundamental property of a particle like its mass and spin. So physically, you'd never see an electron swap charges with a neutron.
That being said, you could ask the question, "What would happen if all the charges in the universe were opposite their usual values?" This would be very similar to asking "what if the universe were made of antimatter instead of matter?"
Surprisingly, not much, though there would be a measurable difference in some radioactive decay processes whether it's matter or antimatter
So, the matter and antimatter is turned into energy? And I'm guessing this is two different particles colliding... with several ones, I'm guessing that this could be a brilliant reactor, or a deadly weapon.jfizzix said:if a proton and an antiproton orbited each other, they would eventually annihilate, though for a short while they would orbit each other like the electron and proton in hydrogen (with masses scaling the orbitals accordingly). Such bound orbiting proton-antiproton pairs are sometimes referred to as protonium. (note: electron-positron orbiting pairs are called positronium). The reason they would annihilate is that they interact via the weak and strong nuclear forces as well as just the electromagnetic force.
When matter and antimatter collide, they usually annihilate, producing at least a pair of gamma rays (high energy photons). The same ought to happen when protons and antiprotons collide.
You are referring to Antihydrogen, I think. Look at this wiki link.Raiden60 said:Ok, so a proton is positively charged, right? And an electron is negatively charged. What if the proton was negatively charged and the electron is positively charged? There should be no difference in the orbit of the electron as the charges attract and the mass of the electron and the proton would be unchanged. That's the hypothesis I'm trying to get across.
Raiden60 said:So THIS is antimatter... well, I have another question. If we could synthesize antimatter, a negatively charged proton, let's say, and a normal positively charged one. What would happen if they orbited? Would they be in a binary formation or would they just fall into each other? And if so, what would happen if matter and antimatter collided?