The
fifth chapter of this book discusses a wide variety of topics revolving around
the first moments of the Universe’s creation and the matter and antimatter
resulting from its creation. The concepts of plank time, quantum theory
indeterminism, Einstein’s famous equation, virtual particles, and
antimatter and explained. Plank
time is the fundamental unit of time that can’t be further divided into smaller
intervals. It describes time to have begun when the Universe was 10-43s
old. Because time did not begin after plank time, our calculations in physics
do not apply to the singularity.
The
quantum theory is based around indeterminism. This theory implies that the
Universe is not like clockwork with determined cause and effects, but with
indistinct effects. It states that events can occur without causes, matter can
follow random paths, and forces do not always produce predetermined actions. Einstein’s
theory of relativity states that energy is equivalent to matter. The quantum
theory paired with Einstein’s theory of relativity allows energy or matter to
appear out of nothing as long as it rapidly disappears. Matter that is formed
in this way is defined as virtual particles. Virtual particles do not exist for
a long period of time because they do not have enough energy.
After
Einstein’s time, scientists discovered that his equation of E=mc2
was flawed and incomplete. The true equation was E2=m2c4. By square rooting this equation, two possible answers are given, one positive and one
negative. The existence of negative energy and antimatter was later confirmed.
It is believed that each particle has a reflective antiparticle.
(above) This is a comparison between hydrogen and its
antimatter counterpart. Note that they are very similar in structure, although
the anti-hydrogen atom is composed of protons and electrons negative energy
states.
Bibliography
Davies, Paul, and John Gribbin. The Matter Myth. New York: Orion Productions, 1992. Print
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