Antimatter: Exploring the Mirror of Ordinary Matter
by Yuvi K - December 24, 2023
Antimatter: Exploring the Mirror of Ordinary Matter
Any scientist worth their double Nobel Prize will tell you that matter and antimatter, the weirdest and most fascinating elements of the universe, have fascinating similarities. From the way they’re built to the myriad of physical phenomena possible for each, matter and antimatter are two sides of the same coin—mirror images with slightly different norms and conventions.
What is Matter?
Matter is the physical stuff made of electrons, protons and neutrons. All these particles join up in a variety of arrangements to create various elements that make up physical matter. Consider the hydrogen atom, for example. It consists of a proton and an electron. That’s it. The proton and the electron can move around; they can repel or attract one another depending on the electric charge, but they never move far away because the atom is bound together by an attractive electrical force.
What is Antimatter?
Simply put, antimatter is the exact opposite of matter. It is made up of particles with the same mass and magnitude but that have a negative charge; they include antiprotons and antielectrons (positrons). Depending on the element, some parts of an atom—most notably its charge—can be different. An antielectron, for example, has a negative charge. An antiproton has a positive charge.
In an atom of antimatter, the spin, or angular momentum, of the particles is also reversed. This makes it possible for two atoms of antimatter to react with each other—in a process called annihilation—in a way that produces particles of energy.
The Annihilation of Matter and Antimatter
The reaction between matter and antimatter is referred to as ‘annihilation’. When matter and antimatter come into contact, they ‘annihilate’ each other releasing an enormous amount of energy that scientists refer to as ‘mass energy’.
When a particle of matter meets its antimatter counterpart, they interact by transferring energy and the resultant energy is released in the form of new particles, called photons. Photons are tiny particles of light that have no mass or charge.
Uses of Antimatter
Antimatter has multiple uses, mainly in particle accelerators and certain large-scale nuclear power plants. It is also used in medical imaging, where a radioactive substance, called a tracer, is mixed with antimatter to produce images of different parts of the body. In addition to being used for diagnostic imaging, antimatter is also used in the treatment of cancer.
Conclusion
As scientists continue to explore the fascinating mysteries of antimatter and its relationship to matter, it has become evident that antimatter and matter are two sides of the same coin. The similarities between the two are endless, and they can be incredibly useful for a variety of applications. The possibilities are vast, and the depth and breadth of knowledge is still growing.
