Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Answerer · 12-28-2002, 09:18 PM

Well, most of us know that normal matter will decay under certain conditions and lifespan, but what about anti-matter? I don't think many people like to talk about it but I have a feeling that anti-matter decay in the same way as normal matter do, except for the fact that the particle release during a decaying process is anti-matter as well. So, what do you guys think?

Darwin's Beagle · 12-28-2002, 09:51 PM

Er... sure antiparticles decay. But the particles they decay into do not necessarily have to be antiparticles as well. For instance, an ordinary neutron when it decays turns into a proton, an electron, and an ANTI-neutrino. Presumably, an anti-neutron would decay into an anti-proton, a positron (ie. an anti-electron), and a matter neutrino.

Answerer · 12-30-2002, 04:29 AM

Thanks for your confirmation.

Undercurrent · 12-30-2002, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Darwin's Beagle
For instance, an ordinary neutron when it decays turns into a proton, an electron, and an ANTI-neutrino. Presumably, an anti-neutron would decay into an anti-proton, a positron (ie. an anti-electron), and a matter neutrino.

Furthermore, I believe that, at least in "classical" particle physics, lepton number is a conserved quantity. So if a decay pattern produces one lepton (e.g. electron) it has to produce an anti-lepton as well (e.g. anti-neutrino.)

m.

Godbert · 12-30-2002, 05:04 PM

Does anti-matter matter?

Darwin's Beagle · 12-30-2002, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Undercurrent
Furthermore, I believe that, at least in "classical" particle physics, lepton number is a conserved quantity. So if a decay pattern produces one lepton (e.g. electron) it has to produce an anti-lepton as well (e.g. anti-neutrino.)

m.

Yep, that's right. For anyone interested in particle physics, I would recommend Leon Lederman's _The God Particle_.

Regards,
DB

12-28-2002, 09:18 PM	#1
Answerer Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 3,956	Can anti-matter decay? Well, most of us know that normal matter will decay under certain conditions and lifespan, but what about anti-matter? I don't think many people like to talk about it but I have a feeling that anti-matter decay in the same way as normal matter do, except for the fact that the particle release during a decaying process is anti-matter as well. So, what do you guys think?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

12-28-2002, 09:51 PM	#2
Darwin's Beagle Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 62	Er... sure antiparticles decay. But the particles they decay into do not necessarily have to be antiparticles as well. For instance, an ordinary neutron when it decays turns into a proton, an electron, and an ANTI-neutrino. Presumably, an anti-neutron would decay into an anti-proton, a positron (ie. an anti-electron), and a matter neutrino.

12-30-2002, 04:29 AM	#3
Answerer Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 3,956	Thanks for your confirmation.

12-30-2002, 05:04 PM	#5
Godbert Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: southern california Posts: 779	Does anti-matter matter?

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.