Antimatter: Illuminating the Mysteries of the Cosmos : FAQS

Antimatter, often referred to as the universe's counterpart, is a puzzling concept that has intrigued scientists and captured the imagination of science fiction enthusiasts alike. While matter is composed of particles such as protons, neutrons, and electrons, antimatter consists of particles with the opposite charge and other unique properties. When matter and antimatter meet, they annihilate each other, releasing a tremendous amount of energy—a phenomenon that continues to fascinate researchers.

Welcome to our blog, In this fascinating exploration, we will unravel the mysteries surrounding antimatter and its profound implications for our understanding of the universe.

we will also discuss the practical applications of antimatter and its potential to revolutionize various fields, including energy production, medicine, and space exploration. The extraordinary energy density stored within antimatter particles holds the promise of highly efficient propulsion systems, advanced cancer therapies, and even the creation of pristine energy sources that could shape the future of our civilization. 

Origin of antimatter

The origins of antimatter trace back to the early moments of the universe, specifically during the Big Bang. According to current theories, during this primordial event, matter and antimatter were created in equal amounts. However, as a profound mystery persists, we observe a distinct lack of antimatter in our present-day universe. This discrepancy, known as the baryon asymmetry problem, continues to puzzle scientists.

To further complicate matters, antimatter is notoriously elusive in the cosmos. It exists in minuscule amounts and is exceptionally challenging to detect and study. This scarcity is primarily due to the annihilation process that occurs when matter and antimatter meet, obliterating both and leaving behind pure energy. Consequently, antimatter's fleeting existence poses significant obstacles in its observation and analysis.

FAQ'S

• What is antimatter?

In modern physics, antimatter is defined as matter that's composed of the antiparticles of the corresponding particles of "ordinary" matter. Theoretically, a particle and its anti-particle (for example, a proton and an antiproton) have the identical mass, but opposite charge, and other differences in quantum numbers. as an example, a proton has charge while an antiproton has electric charge. A collision between any particle and its anti-particlepartner results in their mutual annihilation, giving rise to varied proportions of intense photons (gamma rays), neutrinos, and sometimes less-massive particle–antiparticle pairs.

  

• Is antimatter dangerous?

Yes, offcourse! a gram if antimatter when comes in contact of matter they would destroy each other releasing lots of energy that is near about equal to energy released by a nuclear bomb.

•  What is use of antimatter?

Antimatter is used in medicine. PET (positron emission tomography) uses positrons to produce high-resolution images of the body. Positron-emitting radioactive isotopes (like the ones found in bananas) are attached to chemical substances such as glucose that are used naturally by the body.

• Can we touch antimatter? 

Simple answer is no, after listening the answer of the above question you might have understood that what will happen if we touch the antimatter.

• Do we have antimatter?

No, until nevertheless we've not found the substance and additionally until currently we do not have that technology which might facilitate us to form substance by artificial means. however does one recognize that substance is gift in equal quantity of matter however wherever is it we do not apprehend, for currently we want longer to seek out antimatter naturally.

Many scientists assume that within the initial few moments when the big Bang, that created the universe a awfully while past, each matter and substance mixed along. If the big Bang created equal amounts of matter and substance, then the 2 would eliminate and become energy. when an extended time, there would be notwithstanding and no substance left, simply energy. however our universe these days feels like it's the majority matter and hardly any substance. Physicists don't however recognize evidently that equal amounts of matter and substance were created, and since of this, they're additionally curious wherever the substance went, and if any was left over from the start of the universe.

• How much time it would take to create 1g antimatter?

According to survey it would take about 100 billion years to make 1g of anti-hydrogen.

• What is cost of making 1g of antimatter?

Estimated cost of making 1g of antimatter is about 62 trillion, means cost to make 1g of antimatter is near about equal to sum of GDP of all countries.

Projected improvements could bring this cost down to $5 billion per gram and the production level up ten times from 1.5*10^-9 to 1.5*10^-8 grams (from 1.5 to 15 nanograms).

• Are there antimatter galaxies?

Therefore, astronomers conclude that there are not occasional 'rogue' galaxies made of antimatter. If there is any large amount of antimatter in the universe, it must encompass at least an entire galaxy cluster, and probably a supercluster.

One intresting thing is that- Small amounts of antimatter constantly rain down on Earth in the form of cosmic rays – energetic particles from space. 

These antimatter particles reach our atmosphere at a rate ranging from fewer than one per square kilometre per century to more than 10 000 per square metre per second. Scientists have also seen evidence of antimatter production above thunderstorms.

But other antimatter sources are even closer to home. For example, bananas release one positron – the antimatter equivalent of an electron – roughly every 75 minutes. This occurs because bananas contain a small amount of potassium-40, a naturally occurring isotope of potassium. As potassium-40 decays, it occasionally spits out a positron in the process.

Our bodies also contain potassium-40, which means positrons are being emitted from us, too. Antimatter is annihilated immediately on contact with matter, so these antimatter particles are very short-lived.

• SOME INTRESTING FACTS

1. 1g of Antimatter in coming contact to matter will release energy more or equal to nuclear bomb.

2. Production cost of  1g of Antimatter is about 100 billion dollars.

3. Antimatter are mostly found in cosmic rays.

4. Antimatter coming along with sunlight get's destroyed as it comes in contact to atmosphere of earth.

5. In 1964, physicists found thaalings with matter and antimatter, resulting in something known as “CP violation.”

6. You could be producing positrons right now. Don’t worry though. They don’t survive long enough to react with ordinary matter and become dangerous.

7. If all the antimatter ever made by humans were annihilated at once, the energy produced wouldn’t even be enough to boil a cup of tea.

8. However, in 2009, antimatter triggered the largest explosion ever recorded in the known universe.

9. A mirror antimatter universe could exist, in theory. Many fictional movies, books, comics, etc. deal with this concept. The Justice League’s Evil Counterpart, the Crime Syndicate, for example, comes from an antimatter universe.

10. Bananas produce antimatter (one positron every 75 minutes). Yes, you can still safely eat bananas. They’re only a little radioactive.