antihelium
Antihelium is a rare form of antimatter, the counterpart to the common helium atom. While ordinary helium is made of two protons, two neutrons, and two electrons, antihelium consists of two antiprotons, two antineutrons, and two positrons (the antimatter equivalent of electrons). When matter and antimatter meet, they annihilate each other, releasing energy in the process. Antihelium helps scientists study fundamental particle physics and the differences between matter and antimatter. Its existence provides insights into the universe's composition and the conditions present during the Big Bang.
Additional Insights
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Antihelium-4 is the antimatter counterpart of helium-4, which is a stable atom made of two protons and two neutrons. In antimatter, the particles have opposite charges; thus, antihelium-4 consists of two antiprotons and two antineutrons. When matter and antimatter meet, they annihilate each other, producing energy. Scientists create antihelium-4 in particle accelerators for research purposes, helping to deepen our understanding of fundamental physics, the universe's composition, and why there's more matter than antimatter observed in the cosmos. Its study could potentially unlock insights into dark matter and the conditions of the early universe.