antihydrogen
Antihydrogen is the antimatter counterpart of hydrogen, the simplest atom. While hydrogen consists of one proton and one electron, antihydrogen is made of an antiproton and a positron (the antiparticles of the proton and electron, respectively). When antimatter meets matter, they annihilate each other, releasing energy, which is why antimatter is a topic of interest in physics and potential energy sources. Scientists study antihydrogen to understand fundamental symmetries in the universe, as it helps explore why there is more matter than antimatter and could provide insights into the early moments of the universe.
Additional Insights
-
Antihydrogen is the antimatter counterpart of hydrogen, consisting of a positron (the antimatter version of an electron) orbiting around an antiproton (the antimatter version of a proton). While hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, antihydrogen is extremely rare and can only be created in specialized laboratories, such as CERN. When antimatter meets matter, they annihilate each other, releasing energy. Scientists study antihydrogen to understand fundamental questions about the universe, including why there is more matter than antimatter and the basic laws of physics.