Matter and Antimatter: Why Did Matter Dominate?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the matter-antimatter imbalance in the universe, specifically why matter dominates over antimatter despite their equal creation in the early universe. The leading explanation is CP violation observed in certain decay processes, such as kaon decay. While matter and antimatter share identical properties except for charge, minute differences exist due to parity and CP-symmetry violations. These differences, although extremely small, may affect particle lifetimes and branching fractions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of CP violation in particle physics
  • Familiarity with kaon decay processes
  • Knowledge of particle-antiparticle properties
  • Basic concepts of symmetry in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research CP violation in detail, focusing on its implications in particle physics
  • Study kaon decay and its significance in understanding matter-antimatter asymmetry
  • Explore the concepts of parity and CP-symmetry in weak interactions
  • Investigate the role of branching fractions in particle decay processes
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of particle physics, and anyone interested in the fundamental questions of the universe's composition and the nature of matter and antimatter.

joychandra
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As matter & antimatter are equally created in the early universe , then why matter dominated over antimatter. Please suggest any possible answer
 
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They're not equally created. Slightly more matter was created the resulted in the universe we see today.

No-one truly understand the reasons why matter had a slightly larger abundance. This is (at this present time) beyond the scope of observational capabilities.
 
I believe your question is one of the largest unsolved 'mysteries' in physics today. So don't expect an answer anytime soon hehe.
 
joychandra said:
As matter & antimatter are equally created in the early universe , then why matter dominated over antimatter. Please suggest any possible answer

The leading candidate for the explanation on the matter-antimatter imbalance is the CP violation in certain events, such as in kaon decay.

http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/print/17755

Zz.
 
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What are the differences between matter and antimatter. I know they have same spin, same mass and opposite charge. Does there are any other minute differences? Please mention.
 
Basically there are no differences except for the opposite charge (you've already mentioned).

There is one exception, namely the parity and parity-charge asymmetry of the weak interaction. Due to the violation of the P- and CP-symmetry matter and antimatter have slightly different properties. Lifetime of some particles and antiparticles may differ slightly. This effect is extremely small and was observed in neutral K- and B-meson decays. For all other systems matter and antimatter have identical properties (which means that differences may exist but are too small to be visible in experiments).
 
tom.stoer said:
Lifetime of some particles and antiparticles may differ slightly.

Not so. Lifetimes of particles and antiparticles are the same. CPT assures this. What can be different are branching fractions.
 

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