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Antimatter: meaning, definitions and examples

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antimatter

 

[ ˈæntiˌmætər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

science phenomenon

Antimatter is a type of matter that is composed of antiparticles, which have the same mass as particles of ordinary matter but opposite charges. When antimatter comes into contact with matter, they annihilate each other, creating energy in the process. Research into antimatter is significant in fields like physics and cosmology.

Examples of usage

  • Antimatter is used in particle accelerators to study fundamental particles.
  • In science fiction, antimatter propulsion is often depicted as a means of faster-than-light travel.
  • The concept of antimatter helps explain certain phenomena in the universe.

Translations

Translations of the word "antimatter" in other languages:

🇵🇹 antimatéria

🇮🇳 विपरीत पदार्थ

🇩🇪 Antimaterie

🇮🇩 antimateri

🇺🇦 антиматерія

🇵🇱 antymateria

🇯🇵 反物質

🇫🇷 antimatière

🇪🇸 antimateria

🇹🇷 antimadde

🇰🇷 반물질

🇸🇦 مادة مضادة

🇨🇿 antimateriál

🇸🇰 antimateriál

🇨🇳 反物质

🇸🇮 antimaterija

🇮🇸 andfís

🇰🇿 антиматерия

🇬🇪 ანტიმატერია

🇦🇿 antimateriya

🇲🇽 antimateria

Etymology

The term 'antimatter' was first coined in 1950 by the American physicist John Archibald Wheeler. It has roots in the mathematical formulations of quantum mechanics, specifically the work of Paul Dirac in the 1920s. Dirac's equations suggested that for every particle, there should exist a corresponding antiparticle, leading to the concept of antimatter. Initially a theoretical idea, antimatter was confirmed through experiments decades later, particularly in the discovery of positrons in 1932. This paved the way for further research into antimatter, revealing its potential applications in medicine, energy generation, and fundamental physics. Antimatter has intrigued scientists and the public alike, often capturing the imagination in various science fiction narratives.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,953 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.