How much energy is released in a matter-antimatter annihilation event?

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SUMMARY

A matter-antimatter annihilation event releases energy equivalent to the mass of the particles involved, as described by Einstein's equation E=mc². Specifically, one proton and one antiproton annihilate to produce approximately 1.88 x 10−14 joules of energy. To generate 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy, approximately 5.34 x 1020 annihilation events are required, necessitating a total mass of protons and antiprotons around 1.67 x 10−7 kg. This process yields energy levels significantly higher than conventional nuclear reactions, making antimatter a potent energy source.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Einstein's mass-energy equivalence (E=mc²)
  • Basic knowledge of particle physics, specifically protons and antiprotons
  • Familiarity with energy units, particularly kilowatt-hours (kWh)
  • Concept of annihilation events in particle interactions
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  • Research the energy calculations for matter-antimatter annihilation events
  • Explore the implications of antimatter propulsion systems in aerospace engineering
  • Learn about the production and storage of antimatter, including current technologies
  • Investigate the safety and ethical considerations of antimatter research
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Physicists, aerospace engineers, energy researchers, and anyone interested in advanced propulsion technologies and the potential of antimatter as an energy source.

abohn1
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Science-fiction movies and TV shows often refer to antimatter propulsion
drives. This is not as far-fetched as it may seem. In a matter-antimatter
annihilation event, a particle and its antiparticle annihilate each other and
release all of their mass energy (such as in the reaction p+p→2γ, for
example). How many of these matter-antimatter annihilation events are
needed to get our kWh of energy? And what is the total mass of protons and
antiprotons required to do this?

Hint: The antiproton has the same mass as that of the proton,
938.3 MeV/c2 = 1.6726ï10-27 kg.

I'm not great with the whole concept of anti-matter, any help please? Such as equations to use and general concepts?
 
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Hi abohn1! Welcome to PF! :smile:

(try using the X2 tag just above the Reply box :wink:)

You don't need to know anything about anti-matter (and it's the same as matter, anyway :wink:) …

just use e = mc2. :smile:​
 
actually antimatter-matter collisions create so much power! one particle of antimatter with one particle of matter will create 200 times the energy of a hydrogen bomb!
 

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