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Would an antimatter apple fall upward from the earth?
LATimes ^ | April 30, 2013, 11:46 a.m. | Eryn Brown

Posted on 04/30/2013 8:42:03 PM PDT by BenLurkin

...

Theorists think that ordinary matter and antimatter, which annihilate when they come into contact with each other, were generated in equal quantities during the Big Bang. But there must be some differences between the two types of matter, they also think, because otherwise matter and antimatter would have canceled each other out completely and there would be no universe.

Scientists at CERN are making atoms of antihydrogen to try to pin down what those differences might be.

But they're also willing to consider the possibility that the ideas were wrong in the first place, said Joel Fajans, a professor of physics at UC Berkeley and a member of the ALPHA team. For example, he said, theory suggests that the universe must be filled with dark matter and dark energy, but no one has seen either one.

"We think it's there, but it's almost an embarassment that we don't have evidence for it yet," Fajans said. "There's the faintest possibility that the theories are fundamentally wrong."

One way to change the theories and make them work would be to allow for antigravity.

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Science
KEYWORDS: antimatter; cern
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To: BenLurkin
But they're also willing to consider the possibility that the ideas were wrong in the first place

Based on the history of science this is a pretty good bet.

21 posted on 05/01/2013 2:23:10 AM PDT by Fzob (In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. Jefferson)
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To: UCANSEE2
May I ask, what are they making the antihydrogen atoms from ?

Antihydrogen is made from antielectrons and antiprotons.

Regards,

22 posted on 05/01/2013 3:38:50 AM PDT by alexander_busek (Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.)
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To: BenLurkin

I’ve been taking pro-biotics and antibiotics. Wondered if I would explode if they came in contact...

never mind....


23 posted on 05/01/2013 3:49:36 AM PDT by listenhillary (Courts, law enforcement, roads and national defense should be the extent of government)
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To: doc1019

I just wish they would make toothpaste that would stick to the brush....

Ever notice that it falls off the brush yet sticks like concrete to the sink? Why is that?


24 posted on 05/01/2013 3:59:20 AM PDT by nevergore
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To: BenLurkin

“Gee, Mr. Science, what are you going to teach us today?”

“Today, Bobby, we’re going to learn about antimatter and apples.”

“Gosh, that sounds keen!”

“Ha ha! Yes, Bobby, I suppose you could call it keen. Here, you see, we have a bowl of apples.”

“Those look like oranges, Mr. Science.”

“Apples are out of season around here at this time of year, so we’ll use these lovely oranges instead.”

“But, if you’re talking about apples, shouldn’t you use apples, Mr. Science?”

“It doesn’t matter, Bobby.”

“Oh, if it doesn’t matter, then it must be antimatter.”

“Does the station have a contract with you, Bobby?”

“Yep, and my Dad is a lawyer.”

“OK then. If I drop this orange, er, I mean apple, will it fall to the floor or shoot up to the ceiling?”

“If it’s an antimatter orange, we’re going to have big problems right here, Mr. Science.”

“We already have problems, Bobby. Our ratings are way down. Some viewers think I should replace you with a monkey.”

“So he’d be like an antimatter monkey then.”

“I don’t know if anything matters anymore. Have you seen Mr. Science’s ‘Special Science Formula’?”

“You mean your Vodka? It’s in that cabinet over there.”

“Now, Junior Scientists, Mr. Science is going to mix his ‘Special Science Formula’ with some juice from this antimatter orange, I mean apple, and then we’re going to have a closer look at Bobby’s contract. Remember that Mr. Science is going to be in the WalMart parking lot this Saturday signing autographs and selling antimatter oranges, er, I mean apples.”


25 posted on 05/01/2013 5:11:54 AM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
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To: blueunicorn6

http://www.moviesoundclips.net/download.php?id=3339&ft=mp3


26 posted on 05/01/2013 6:51:14 AM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both)
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To: JRandomFreeper
but apparently, you smack electrons together really, really hard (MeV hard) and sometimes, one of them becomes an anti-electron.

So... we are making 'anti-matter' from 'matter'.

27 posted on 05/01/2013 7:59:55 PM PDT by UCANSEE2 (The monsters are due on Maple Street)
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To: UCANSEE2
Yes. Technically, it's all matter. It's just the charge on the proton and electron that you have to flip to make anti-matter. The neutron, of course, stays neutral. That's why you have to bash them together so hard.

That's what I remember from culinary school anyway.

/johnny

28 posted on 05/01/2013 8:05:38 PM PDT by JRandomFreeper (Gone Galt)
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To: JRandomFreeper

So... if you blow up matter, you can get anti-matter.

If you get some, it will blow up if it gets near ‘matter’, which is everywhere.

It seems a lot like hooking up jumper cables the wrong way on your car battery. Something blows up.


29 posted on 05/01/2013 11:04:29 PM PDT by UCANSEE2 (The monsters are due on Maple Street)
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