When anti-matter and matter collide are they destroyed?

[Karimspencer]

When anti-matter and matter collide , they say they both annihilate however isn't it known according to the law of conservation that matter can't be created nor destroyed.
This confuses me.

 

[Ryan_m_b]

Energy can't be created or destroyed, matter can (it can turn into energy).

 

[Drakkith]

Energy, and by extension mass, cannot be created or destroyed, only moved around. Matter can and is destroyed all the time.

 

[Karimspencer]

OH! My physics teacher told me that atoms may not be created or destroyed and so does my school textbook.

 

[ZapperZ]

OH! My physics teacher told me that atoms may not be created or destroyed and so does my school textbook.

At the level you are being thought, that is accurate. But here, you are trying to play with the Big Boys. The rules may be different, and injuries are common.

Zz.

 

[Drakkith]

OH! My physics teacher told me that atoms may not be created or destroyed and so does my school textbook.

I don't know what grade you are in, but I'd guess that your book and teacher are either just plain wrong, or are just keeping things simple. An atom is a composite particle, meaning that it is made up of smaller particles, specifically the Proton, Neutron, and Electron for atoms in normal matter. It is entirely possible to change an atom and even take it apart completely in certain situations, thus rendering it no longer an atom.