Is antimatter a theory or does it exist?

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    Antimatter Theory
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SUMMARY

Antimatter is not merely a theoretical concept; it has been observed and is defined as particles with opposite charges to their matter counterparts, such as positrons (anti-electrons) and anti-protons. The annihilation of matter and antimatter upon contact results in energy release, which is the principle behind positron emission tomography (PET scans). The discussion clarifies misconceptions about antimatter, emphasizing that it does not imply negative mass and that photons are massless. The existence of antimatter is supported by experimental evidence from particle colliders like the Tevatron and LEP.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of particle physics concepts such as antimatter and particle-antiparticle pairs.
  • Familiarity with the principles of nuclear fusion and energy-mass equivalence (E=mc²).
  • Knowledge of medical imaging techniques, specifically positron emission tomography (PET).
  • Basic grasp of quantum mechanics, particularly the behavior of photons and their properties.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of antimatter in particle physics experiments at facilities like CERN.
  • Study the principles of positron emission tomography (PET) and its applications in medical diagnostics.
  • Explore the implications of energy-mass equivalence in cosmology and the early universe.
  • Investigate the properties of photons and their role in electromagnetic radiation as defined by quantum electrodynamics (QED).
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, medical professionals utilizing PET scans, students of particle physics, and anyone interested in the fundamental concepts of matter and antimatter.

  • #31


Wow, first posted in 2008 and still going strong!
For what it's worth I found Feynman's lecture at the 1986 Dirac Memorial Lectures to be a good read on the subject, and explains nicely why there must be anti-particles.

Cheers
 
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  • #32


Antymattar said:
a group of antimatter that has an equaly negative mass
Antimatter and negative mass are not the same thing.
Antimatter has positive mass.

azzkika said:
So anti matter isn't really anti matter at all.
No, antimatter is antimatter. :wink:

azzkika said:
I wish science would not have such ambiguous misleading terms such as this.
Huh? It isn't misleading or ambiguous. It has the opposite charge that matter has, that's why its called antimatter.
 
  • #33


FtlIsAwesome said:
Antimatter and negative mass are not the same thing.
Antimatter has positive mass.


No, antimatter is antimatter. :wink:


Huh? It isn't misleading or ambiguous. It has the opposite charge that matter has, that's why its called antimatter.

Heh, I can see how its misleading. If you instead described matter as having 2 parts, and labeled them as matter A and matter B (corresponding to matter and antimatter respectively) I think less people would be confused. But it's not a big deal. Once you get into science at all you learn the differences.
 

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