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Einstein's Mass-Energy Equivalence:
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Antimatter annihilation is the process where a particle collides with its antiparticle, converting their entire mass into energy. According to Einstein's mass-energy equivalence principle, this results in the most efficient known energy conversion process in the universe.
The calculator uses Einstein's mass-energy equivalence equation for antimatter:
Where:
Explanation: The factor of 2 accounts for the complete conversion of both matter and antimatter mass into energy during annihilation.
Details: Understanding mass-energy conversion is fundamental to particle physics, cosmology, and potential future energy technologies. Antimatter reactions represent the theoretical maximum efficiency for energy production.
Tips: Enter the mass of antimatter in kilograms. The calculator will compute the total energy released when that amount of antimatter annihilates with an equal amount of matter.
Q1: Why is there a factor of 2 in the equation?
A: The factor of 2 accounts for the complete conversion of both the antimatter mass and an equal amount of matter mass during annihilation.
Q2: How efficient is antimatter energy conversion?
A: Antimatter-matter annihilation is 100% efficient, converting all mass directly to energy according to E=mc².
Q3: What are practical applications of antimatter?
A: Currently used in medical imaging (PET scans) and particle physics research. Potential future applications include spacecraft propulsion and energy generation.
Q4: How much energy is in 1kg of antimatter?
A: 1kg of antimatter annihilating with 1kg of matter would release approximately 1.8×10¹⁷ Joules of energy - equivalent to about 43 megatons of TNT.
Q5: Why is antimatter so difficult to produce and store?
A: Antimatter requires enormous energy to create (currently much more than it yields) and must be contained in magnetic fields to prevent contact with normal matter.