Questioning Strange Matter and Neutronium: Is an Orbital Possible?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the properties of strange matter and neutronium, specifically questioning whether strange matter can exist in non-spherical shapes and its stability outside of gravitational fields. Strange matter, which contains strange quarks, is theorized to be stable under extreme conditions, such as those found in neutron stars. In contrast, neutronium requires gravitational pressure to maintain its state after collapsing from atomic form. The conversation highlights the need for further exploration into the fluidity of neutronium and the potential for creating advanced materials for orbital structures.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quark composition, specifically strange quarks and their properties.
  • Knowledge of neutron stars and the conditions that lead to the formation of neutronium.
  • Familiarity with theories surrounding the stability of strange matter in various gravitational contexts.
  • Basic principles of material science, particularly regarding fluid dynamics and solid-state physics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties and stability of strange matter in theoretical physics.
  • Explore the characteristics of neutronium and its behavior under different gravitational conditions.
  • Investigate advanced materials science techniques for creating non-spherical shapes of exotic matter.
  • Study the implications of quark-gluon plasma and its potential applications in material engineering.
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, materials scientists, and science fiction writers interested in advanced materials and the theoretical foundations of exotic matter for applications such as orbital structures.

SkepticJ
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The wikipedia entry on strange matter didn't tell me all I wanted to know, so I'll have to ask here:

Is strange matter a fluid like 'neutronium' matter is? i.e. given advanced enough technology, could a cube or other non-spherical shape of strange matter be created? Or would it form a sphere because it's a fluid and its own gravity would force it to this shape? The wiki said that under some theories strange matter would be stable without gravitational pressure holding it together. Why, may I ask, does 'neutronium' need gravity to stay as 'neutronium' after it has collapsed from atomic form?
The point of all this is I'm trying to find a material that could be the foundation material of an Orbital without needing a fictional material and 'force fields'.
 
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Strange matter is matter which contains strange quarks in addition to the usual up and down. To the best of my knowledge it is stable only under extreme conditions, like in neutron stars. On Earth strange quarks quickly decay into down quarks plus photons.
 
SkepticJ said:
Is strange matter a fluid like 'neutronium' matter is? i.e. given advanced enough technology, could a cube or other non-spherical shape of strange matter be created? Or would it form a sphere because it's a fluid and its own gravity would force it to this shape? The wiki said that under some theories strange matter would be stable without gravitational pressure holding it together. Why, may I ask, does 'neutronium' need gravity to stay as 'neutronium' after it has collapsed from atomic form?
I will direct you to this link, where I recently learned quite a bit about neutronium, I suspect you will enjoy it. It will answer most of your questions

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=83095
 
Mk said:
I will direct you to this link, where I recently learned quite a bit about neutronium, I suspect you will enjoy it. It will answer most of your questions

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=83095




Interesting. :smile:

This doesn't answer why strange matter could be stable outside of a grav field though.(if those theories are right)

I also don't understand why neutronium would be a fluid instead of a solid. Why doesn't it form a crystal structure to be rigid?
 

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