Is Matter Still Being Created from Energy?

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SUMMARY

New matter is continuously being created from energy through processes such as pair production, where an electron-positron pair is formed from a photon with energy greater than 1.22 MeV. While the total energy content of the universe remains constant, energy can be converted into matter and vice versa. Additionally, matter is not only created but also "destroyed" or transformed into energy in processes like nuclear reactions and natural background radiation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of pair production in particle physics
  • Knowledge of photon energy levels, specifically >1.22 MeV
  • Familiarity with nuclear reactions and energy conversion
  • Basic concepts of natural background radiation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of pair production in quantum mechanics
  • Study the implications of energy-matter conversion in nuclear physics
  • Explore the effects of natural background radiation on matter
  • Investigate the role of photons in particle creation and annihilation
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the fundamental processes of matter and energy in the universe.

DLuckyE
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Is new matter still being created from energy in the universe anywhere, or is that something that only happened at the big bang? And is there a known way to create matter from energy?
 
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Hi there,

Matter is being created all the time. Are you familiar with the "pair production" process? The process of creating an electron-positron pair from a >1.22MeV photon.

Cheers
 
Nope I wasn't aware of that, now I know the name it's a lot easier to find articles to read about it. So thanks for the info :)
 
The total energy content of the universe is fixed to the best of our knowledge. This does not preclude the conversion of energy to matter, or vice versa.
 
DLuckyE said:
Is new matter still being created . . .
The reverse is also true. Matter gets "destroyed" in nuclear reactors. Or, more accurately, it is converted into a different form of energy.
 
Hi there,

Redbelly98 said:
The reverse is also true. Matter gets "destroyed" in nuclear reactors. Or, more accurately, it is converted into a different form of energy.

But not only in nuclear reactors. The "destruction" of matter is a natural process, happening all the time. The natural terrestrial background radiation is the result of this natural process.

Cheers
 

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