Is Matter Still Being Created from Energy?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on whether new matter is still being created from energy in the universe and explores the mechanisms of matter-energy conversion, including pair production and the destruction of matter in processes like nuclear reactions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that matter is continuously created through processes like pair production, where an electron-positron pair is formed from a photon with sufficient energy.
  • Others argue that while matter can be created, the total energy content of the universe remains fixed, allowing for conversion between energy and matter.
  • One participant notes that matter can be "destroyed" in nuclear reactors, suggesting that it is converted into energy rather than being annihilated.
  • Another participant emphasizes that the destruction of matter is a natural process occurring regularly, linked to background radiation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the ongoing creation of matter and the implications of energy conservation, indicating that multiple competing perspectives remain without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the fixed total energy content of the universe and the definitions of matter and energy conversion processes, which may not be fully resolved.

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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