Is it possible to make antimatter?

Question

Just reading Dan brown’s Angles and demos, so my question is can scientists really make antimatter?

Answer 1

Anti-matter is only matter made up of subatomic particles which are not the ones we're used to. For example, protons and electrons have their anti-matter opposites in anti-protons and positrons, they have identical mass but opposite charges, so anti-protons are negative in charge and positrons are positive. So the anti- prefix just relates to their charge.

Small atoms have indeed been made from this antimatter, but the scale that Dan Brown proposes is unlikely - containing the anti-matter would be very difficult, as any interaction with matter results in a lot of energy being 'released'.

As always Dan Brown takes a fact or two, muddles them about a bit and then produces an entertaining if not rather formulaic story.

Answer 2

hey i am reading that book at the moment aswell good book isn't it. dont know if you can really make antimatter. have you read Da Davinchi code yet by Dan brown?

Answer 3

yes its true but as he sez in the book its really based in switzerland (CERN) and its a highly volatile substance but the question looms will it save the world or will it be used to create the most deadly weapon ever made.

Answer 4

Absolutely ! CERN do it all the time ! Look at the following link -
http://www.interactions.org/cms/?pid=1025019

Answer 5

Yes you can. Here is how mathematically.

http://www.av8n.com/physics/bevatron.htm

or if you need it in simple English read here:

http://van.physics.uiuc.edu/qa/listing.php?id=1172

Answer 6

Yes it has been done when trying to create 'ball lightening' which many believe to be anti matter.

Answer 7

They are constantly produced in particle colliders.