How dangerous is matter/antimatter collisions?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the dangers associated with matter-antimatter collisions, specifically focusing on the gamma rays produced and their potential effects on living organisms. Participants explore the implications of energy release from such collisions, comparing it to familiar scenarios like a campfire.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the gamma rays produced from a matter-antimatter collision would be dangerous if the energy released is equivalent to that of a small campfire.
  • Another participant asserts that all gamma rays are dangerous to life, emphasizing that the danger is a matter of dose.
  • A third participant references a quote about toxicity and dose, suggesting that the harmful effects depend on the amount of exposure.
  • One participant explains that colliding a single electron and positron produces only two gamma photons, implying that the likelihood of significant damage from just two photons is low.
  • Conversely, another participant argues that if the energy from a campfire were released in a much shorter time frame, the resulting damage would be severe, likening it to the effects of multiple sticks of dynamite.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the danger posed by gamma rays from matter-antimatter collisions. While some emphasize the importance of dose in determining danger, others highlight the potential for significant damage depending on the energy release rate. No consensus is reached regarding the overall danger of gamma rays in this context.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific energy levels and dosimetry, but there are unresolved assumptions regarding the conditions under which the energy is released and the context of exposure.

39ster
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If i had enough matter and antimatter to release same amount of energy as a small camp fire, would the gamma rays be dangerous?
 
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Are any gamma rays NOT dangerous...I assume you mean to life.
 
Naty1 said:
Are any gamma rays NOT dangerous...I assume you mean to life.

It's all a matter of dose, really.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dosimetry

"All things are poison and nothing is without poison, only the dose permits something not to be poisonous."--Paracelsus
 
If you collided a single electron and positron you would only get a pair of gamma photons, the odds of doing much damage with just 2 photons are pretty small.

If the safe dose of gamma is around 10mSv (that is absorbed 10mJ/kg of body weight) and you weigh 100kg (it's worth hitting the burgers to make the maths easier) then you can absorb about 1kJ of gamma rays - that is the energy output of small campfire (say 1kw) in 1 second.
 
On the other hand the same energy released during the during the course of the campfire squeezed in a few milliseconds tells me I want to stand at a safe distance. The gamma photons would be the least of my worries. Damage would be comparable to more than a few sticks of dynamite.
 

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