Can all matter be potentially annhilated?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the potential for all matter in the universe to be annihilated and converted into energy, exploring concepts related to mass defect in chemical and nuclear reactions, the historical transition of the universe from radiation to matter dominance, and the mechanisms of matter-energy conversion. The scope includes theoretical considerations and speculative future scenarios.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that every chemical reaction has a mass defect, which is negligible, while nuclear reactions have a more significant mass defect leading to high energy release. They speculate about the possibility of all matter being converted to energy in the distant future.
  • Another participant argues that the universe is currently transitioning from a radiation-dominated state to a matter-dominated state, suggesting that a reversal to radiation dominance is not known to occur without a "big crunch."
  • A question is raised regarding the reasons for radiation transforming into matter, particularly on a universal scale, referencing photon-photon interactions post-big bang that resulted in matter-antimatter pairs.
  • One participant questions the current rate of conversion between energy and matter, to which another responds that while there is some conversion occurring, it predominantly happens in the direction of matter to energy, particularly in stars.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the mechanisms and implications of matter-energy conversion, with some uncertainty regarding the future state of the universe and the processes involved. There is no consensus on the potential for all matter to be annihilated or the conditions under which this might occur.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the nature of mass defect and energy conversion, as well as the historical context of the universe's evolution. The implications of these processes remain unresolved, particularly concerning the future of matter and energy in the universe.

Ritzycat
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I understand that every chemical reaction has a mass defect - albeit it is very, very, very, very small, to the point we simply assume Law of Conservation of Mass. Nuclear reactions have a more sizable mass defect, hence the very high amounts of energy released. However, suppose some astronomically high time. It is possible that all of the matter in the universe could be converted to energy somewhere incredibly distant in the future? Are there any ways in which new matter is introduced into the universe, and would that amount be greater than the amount lost by general physical phenomenon?

We've only briefly touched on this concept in my chemistry class but since we have to move on our teacher doesn't have much time for much theory questions. I'm very curious but my knowledge doesn't extend very far.
 
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The universe is going the other direction. In the distant past it was radiation dominated. As it has expanded and cooled it has transitioned from radiation dominated to matter dominated. As far as I know there is no known effect which would cause it to revert to radiation dominated without a "big crunch".
 
What are the reasons why radiation transforms into matter, especially on a universal level?
 
Ritzycat said:
What are the reasons why radiation transforms into matter, especially on a universal level?
Right after the big bang photon-photon interactions were common resulting in matter antimatter pairs (Open question: what happened to the antimatter?). These days pair production is extremely rare.
 
So essentially, at this point in time, there is not much conversion going on between energy and matter?
 
Ritzycat said:
So essentially, at this point in time, there is not much conversion going on between energy and matter?
No, there's a fair amount of it going on, almost all in the direction of matter to energy, but that's in the center of stars and when there are no more stars, there won't be any more such conversion, and as Dale said, that's the direction the universe is going ... fewer stars ... fewer stars ... fewer stars ... no more stars.

Here's a thread you might find interesting:

https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/future-of-the-universe.778346/
 
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