Does Antimatter Decay?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Quarlep
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Antimatter Decay
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the decay of antimatter, specifically whether antimatter undergoes decay similar to normal matter. Participants explore the nature of decay in both antimatter and matter, considering isotopes and the implications of CP violation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that antimatter decays similarly to normal matter.
  • Others argue that certain particles, like electrons and positrons, do not decay, suggesting that free protons and antiprotons also do not decay.
  • A participant notes that while antimatter versions of isotopes would decay, the specifics of their decay may differ from normal matter.
  • Questions are raised about the differences in decay processes between matter and antimatter, particularly in relation to CP violation.
  • It is suggested that the question of whether antimatter decays at all is separate from the effects of CP violation, although the lifetime of decay may vary.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the decay of antimatter, with some asserting it decays like normal matter and others highlighting exceptions and the complexities introduced by CP violation. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of antimatter decay.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding assumptions about decay processes and the dependence on definitions of decay in both matter and antimatter contexts. The implications of CP violation on decay lifetimes are also not fully explored.

Quarlep
Messages
257
Reaction score
4
I wanted to know If we have a antimatter it decays ? Actually I am asking Is antimatter decay ?

Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Are you asking if antimatter decays? If so, then yes, it decays similar to normal matter.
 
Drakkith said:
it decays similar to normal matter.

Or doesn't decay, as the case may be. Electrons don't decay, so positrons don't decay. Neither do free protons or antiprotons.
 
jtbell said:
Or doesn't decay, as the case may be. Electrons don't decay, so positrons don't decay. Neither do free protons or antiprotons.

Of course. I was more referring to how different isotopes of normal matter decay. The antimatter versions of those isotopes would also decay. I probably should have worded my response better.
 
How different is antimatter decay allowed to be from matter decay, if CPT is not violated but CP is?
 
snorkack said:
How different is antimatter decay allowed to be from matter decay, if CPT is not violated but CP is?

It's as different as the asymmetry caused by CP violation.
 
The question "does it decay at all?" is independent of CP violation, just the lifetime can differ.
 

Similar threads

Graduate If Neutrinos are majorana particles, does this mean lepton number is not conserved?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad Can proton/neutron decay be avoided in some conditions?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
High School Antimatter in relativistic jets
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Undergrad Could the primeval antimatter "be among us"?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad Need a layman's explanation for how scientists contain antimatter
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
4K
High School Matter & Antimatter: Attraction & Annihilation Evidence?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
High School Where does the mass of a W boson come from in beta decay?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Undergrad Matter/antimatter collisons between "unlike" particles?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Undergrad Question on Baryons and Specific Decays
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
High School CERN Experiment NA62 observes rare Kaon decay mode
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K