Question

If there is anti-matter, couldn't there be anti-energy?

Asked by: Renji Thomas

 Answer

When people speak of anti-matter, it's important to recognize that anti-matter isn't some sort of 'negative' matter. An anti-particle is just as real as any other particle. If you use Einstein's famous E=mc2 relation you find that an anti-particle has positive energy, since it has a mass which is identical to the mass of its partner 'particle.' The 'anti-' part of the name just signifies the fact that the quantum numbers that the particle has are opposite of those of the corresponding particle. Most people have heard that anti-matter annihilates with matter and gives rise to energy. This is a result of the two particles having exactly opposite quantum numbers -- but 'particles' in our everyday world annihilate into new particles all the time too.

Energy, by contrast, is a relative concept. The important physical quantity is the difference in energy between any two states of a system. We thus always speak of positive energy values and typically eliminate solutions which give rise to negative energies as unphysical. In short, then, the existence of anti-matter does not imply the existence of some sort of anti-energy.

Answered by: Brent Nelson, M.A. Physics, Ph.D. Student, UC Berkeley

Search

Loading



Sponsors

USC University of Southern California Dornsife College Physics and Astronomy Department McMaster University Physics and Astronomy Department

Science Quote

'You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individuals. To that end each of us must work for his own improvement, and at the same time share a general responsibility for all humanity, our particular duty being to aid those to whom we think we can be most useful.'

Marie Curie
(1867-1934)

Deal of the Day

Image of Hover Craft Kit. Click on this image for more info. Hover Craft Kit
Regular Price: $29.99
Today's Price: $12.00
Learn the science behind hover craft technology with this cool kit! Buy it now! Deal ends at midnight!

Top Selling

Here are our physics & astronomy bestsellers:
Mini Plasma Ball
Slide Making Kit
Top Secret - Spinning Top
Wood Grain Newtons Cradle
Deluxe 3D Mirascope
Solar Radiometer
Periscope
Ultimate Chemistry Set CHEM C3000
Solar Science 4M Kit
3D Magnetic Field Tube