One of the most interesting tasks facing modern science is to unravel the secrets of the structure of the universe. It is known that in the world everything consists of matter or substance. But, according to scientists, at the time of the Big Bang, not only the substance of which all the objects of the world are made up, but also the so-called antimatter, antimatter and, therefore, antiparticles of matter.
Electron antiparticle
The first antiparticle, whose existence was predicted, and then proved scientifically, was the positron.
To understand the origin of this antiparticle, it is worth turning to the structure of the atom. It is known that the nucleus of an atom contains protons (positively charged particles) and neutrons (particles without a charge). Electrons circulate in its orbits - particles with a negative electric charge.
Positron is an antiparticle of an electron. She has a positive charge. In physics, the positron symbol looks like this: e + (the e - symbol is used to designate an electron). This antiparticle appears as a result of radioactive decay.
How is a positron different from a proton?
The positron charge is positive, so its difference from the electron and the neutron is obvious. But a proton, unlike an electron and a neutron, also has a positive charge. Some are mistaken in believing that the positron and proton are essentially the same thing.
The difference is that a proton is a particle, a part of the substance, matter that makes up our world, which is part of every atomic nucleus. Positron is an antiparticle of an electron. It has nothing to do with a proton except a positive charge.
Who discovered the positron?
For the first time, the existence of the positron was suggested by the English physicist Paul Dirac in 1928. His hypothesis was that an electron corresponds to an antiparticle with a positive charge. In addition, Dirac suggested that, having met, both particles will disappear, having released a large amount of energy. Another of his hypotheses was that there is a reverse process in which an electron and a particle appear opposite to it. The photo shows the tracks of an electron and its antiparticle
A few years later, physicist Carl Anderson (USA), photographing particles with a Wilson camera and studying their tracks, discovered traces of particles similar to electrons. However, the traces had a reverse curvature from the magnetic field. Consequently, their charge was positive. The ratio of particle charge to mass was the same as that of an electron. Thus, the theory of Dirac was confirmed experimentally. Anderson gave this antiparticle the name "positron". For his discovery, the scientist was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.
The coupled system of electron and positron is called "positronium".
Annihilation
The term "annihilation" translates as "extinction" or "annihilation." When Paul Dirac suggested that the electron particle and the antiparticle of the electron disappear in the collision, it was their annihilation that was meant. In other words, this term describes the process of interaction of matter and antimatter, leading to their mutual disappearance and release of energy resources during this process. As such, the destruction of matter does not occur, it only begins to exist in a different form.
During the collision of an electron and a positron, photons are generated - quanta of electromagnetic radiation. They have neither charge nor rest mass.
There is an inverse process called "couple birth". In this case, the particle and antiparticle appear as a result of electromagnetic or other interaction.
Even in the collision of one positron and one electron, energy is emitted. It is enough to imagine what the collision of many particles with antiparticles will lead to. The energy potential of annihilation for humanity is invaluable.
Antiproton and Antineutron
It is logical to assume that since the antiparticle of an electron exists in nature, then other fundamental particles must also have antiparticles. Antiproton and antineutron were discovered in 1955 and 1956, respectively. The antiproton has a negative charge, the antineutron does not carry a charge. Open antiparticles are called antinucleons. Thus, antimatter has the following form: atomic nuclei are made up of antinucleons, and positrons circulate around the nucleus in orbit.
In 1969, the antigel isotope was first obtained in the USSR.
In 1995, Zern (European Laboratory for Nuclear Research) developed antihydrogen.
Receiving antimatter and its meaning
As was said, the antiparticles of the electron, proton and neutron are able to annihilate with their original particles, generating energy in a collision. Therefore, studies of these phenomena are of great importance for various fields of science.
Obtaining antimatter is an extremely long, laborious and costly process. To do this, special particle accelerators and magnetic traps are built, which should hold the resulting antimatter. Antimatter is the most expensive substance to date.
If the production of antimatter could be put on stream, then humanity was provided with energy for many years. In addition, antimatter could be used to create rocket fuel, because, in fact, this fuel would have been obtained simply from the contact of antimatter with any substance.
The threat posed by antimatter
Like many discoveries made by man, the discovery of antiparticles of an electron and nucleons can pose a serious threat to people. Everyone knows the power of the atomic bomb and the destruction that it can inflict. But the power of an explosion upon contact of a substance with antimatter is colossal and many times exceeds the strength of an atomic bomb. Thus, if one day an "anti-bomb" is invented, then humanity will put itself on the brink of self-destruction.
What conclusions can be drawn?
- The universe consists of matter and antimatter.
- The antiparticles of the electron and nucleons are called "positron" and "antinucleons".
- Antiparticles have the opposite charge.
- The collision of matter and antimatter leads to annihilation.
- The annihilation energy is so great that it can both serve for the good of man and threaten his existence.