Everything Everywhere Daily

Antimatter (Encore)

Feb 17, 2025

Explore the fascinating world of antimatter, the most expensive substance known to humanity. Initially proposed as a joke, its unexpected significance has left physicists puzzled about its scarcity in the universe. Discover how antimatter was discovered and its remarkable properties. The discussion also shines a spotlight on practical applications, particularly in medical imaging, while addressing the challenges scientists face in creating and researching this elusive material.

15:06

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Quick takeaways

Antimatter, initially proposed humorously by Arthur Schuster, has proven to be a fundamental part of the universe through substantial scientific discovery milestones.

The significant imbalance between matter and antimatter in the universe raises crucial questions about the processes following the Big Bang, despite expectations of equal production.

Deep dives

The Nature of Antimatter

Antimatter is a fundamental part of the universe, despite its elusive nature. Though initially proposed as a joke in the late 19th century by physicist Arthur Schuster, the concept laid the groundwork for the eventual scientific discovery of antimatter. Paul Dirac's development of the theory around anti-electrons in 1928 and Carl Anderson's subsequent discovery of positrons in 1932 marked significant milestones in recognizing antimatter's existence. This acknowledgement revealed that antimatter particles possess properties that mirror those of regular matter but with opposite electrical charges and quantum characteristics.

Unveiling Antimatter: Discovery, Mysteries, and Applications

15min

It is the most expensive substance in the world by a wide margin.

When it was first proposed, it was actually proposed in jest. However, decades later, the joke turned out to have been true.

It is a fundamental part of the universe, and by all accounts, it should be everywhere, yet it can’t be found anywhere, and physicists aren’t really sure why.

Learn more about antimatter, how it was discovered, and what it is on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily.

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