is this antimatter? or dark matter?
2007-12-07 05:37:42 · 9 answers · asked by vschildknapp 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
hpv
2007-12-07 05:44:54 · answer #1 · answered by rooster_nugget 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If those are the only two choices, then go with dark matter. By definition, anything that is made of proton and/or neutrons is called baryonic matter (baryon means "heavy": protons and neutrons are baryons). The only thing we know about dark matter is that it is non-baryonic.
Anti-matter is made of anti-protons (they have negative charge) and anti-neutrons (I'd have a hard time telling them apart from "normal" neutrons). So, depending on how picky you want to be about words, antimatter does not contain protons and neutrons but only their anti-particles (but that is being really picky).
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Normal matter behaves in a certain way because of electrical attraction and repulsion. For example, atoms do not normally touch each other. As one atom approaches another, the field from the outer electrons will repel each other and the atoms will not actually touch.
However, if the pressure is sufficient, they will get in contact and all electrons will be forced to their lowest possible state, with no room left anywhere in the matter. Then we say that the matter is degenerate. If the matter is still made of atoms (as in white dwarfs) we talk of electron-degeneracy (the degenerate matter is still made of protons, neutrons and electrons).
If the pressure is sufficient to drive the electrons into the nucleus, they will neutralise the protons and you end up with a degenerate ball of neutrons: no more protons or electrons, but still neutrons, therefore it is still baryonic matter (e.g., a neutron star).
2007-12-07 16:22:05 · answer #2 · answered by Raymond 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Matter that does not contain protons or neutrons is said to be Non-baryonic matter. The Baryons are a family of subatomic particles which are made of 4 quarks, the family notably includes the proton and neutron, which make up the atomic nucleus.
2007-12-07 19:26:15 · answer #3 · answered by Alex G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
degenerate. Contains neutrons but not protons and is the main constituent of neutron stars. It is not antimatter, but it may be "dark" as a neutron star is a "MACHO" a massive compact halo object.
http://www.symmetrymagazine.org/files/200702/darkmatterrap.mp3
2007-12-07 14:49:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
antimatter
2007-12-10 00:29:55 · answer #5 · answered by NELLIE 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leptons, this is matter of very low mass.
2007-12-07 13:41:34 · answer #6 · answered by johnandeileen2000 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm... I think you're describing plasma, but.... I'll let others answer more definitevly.
2007-12-07 13:46:26 · answer #7 · answered by quantumclaustrophobe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
electrons
2007-12-07 13:41:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
aardvarks
2007-12-07 13:42:21 · answer #9 · answered by Bobby 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋