Antimatter

The Ultimate Source of Power  

The story behind antimatter didn’t begin until 1928 when a young physicist named Paul Dirac came up with a strange mathematical equation which predicted the existence of an “antiworld” identical to our own but made up of antimatter which is in turn made up of subatomic particles that are classified as antiparticles. You might say that antimatter is an exact mirror image of matter or the absolute opposite of matter which we encounter every day.

In the event that a particle of matter comes into contact with a particle of antimatter, the result is total and complete annihilation of both particles; in this instance you could say that opposites definitely do not attract, as is often claimed and can be proven with a couple of ordinary magnets.

When speaking of magnets; we all know one side / end has "a north pole" and the opposite side / end has / is the "south pole".  If two magnets of identical size and shape are placed end to end, with opposite poles facing each other (north end of #1 facing the south end of #2) they readily attract or attach to each other.  If common ends are place in close proximity to each other, as in north to north or south to south, the result is quite different in deed.

OK, so you think this proves that opposites attract? It looks to be a pretty good argument.  But do either of the two magnets we just used to prove that 'opposites attract in our world' fit into a category classified as antimatter in an opposite world?  In other words, if one of the magnets described above were from the antimatter world the test results would be the exact opposite.  

As close as you or I can get to a magnet from the antimatter world be to use, in the aforementioned experiment (in my view), the same magnets but re-classify or rename the poles on one of the two magnets. In a sense, that would be creating an opposite, so the former N pole would become the S pole and the former S pole would become the N pole; in doing this, you would have what could be classified as a magnet from the world of antimatter.  In this instance the results of the magnet experiment would be the exact opposite.

Perhaps a simpler approach for comprehending the concept of antimatter is the common mirror. Imagine looking at your own reflection.  That other individual you see looking back at you is your anti-self and he / she lives full time in the antiworld.

Consider this: when antimatter and matter come into direct contact, the result has been described as total and complete annihilation of each of the particles, this destruction or annihilation is the consequence a huge explosion.

Now switch your thoughts to the internal combustion engine that is commonly used in planes, trains, and automobiles (I’ve always wanted a justifiable excuse to use that phrase). This very useful engine is really a method that has been devised for multiple controlled explosions which typically derive from petroleum based products such as gasoline.

Now think of a similar engine which combines matter and antimatter as a source of fuel.  In this sense, such a product could be classified as pure energy or even the perfect fuel, not to mention high octane.  It has been estimated by scientists who actually develop antimatter, that one gram would be enough to keep the typical car running for 100,000 years, not miles.

Keep in mind that Star Trek's faster-than-light science fiction spaceships use antimatter as a power source, and too, research projects that are taking place today are investigating the possible use of antimatter fuel for real, which could be very good news indeed.

Sources ...                                         http://press.web.cern.ch/livefromcern/antimatter/everyday/AM-everyday00.html      http://press.web.cern.ch/livefromcern/antimatter/history/AM-history00.html            http://press.web.cern.ch/livefromcern/antimatter/FAQ.html                             http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Antimatter_Rocket.jpg