Chemical Forums

Specialty Chemistry Forums => Nuclear Chemistry and Radiochemistry Forum => Topic started by: constant thinker on March 29, 2006, 05:09:22 PM

Title: Conservation of Mass/Matter
Post by: constant thinker on March 29, 2006, 05:09:22 PM

Now I know this law states that matter cannot be created or destroyed. What I'm curious though is that when antimatter touches normal matter the two completely obliterate each other.

Isn't that a contradiction of this law or am I missing something?

Title: Re:Conservation of Mass/Matter
Post by: Borek on March 29, 2006, 05:27:47 PM

More precisely it is law of conservation of mass AND energy, as these are equivalent. Thus anihilation produces energy in mc² amount and everything is OK.

Title: Re:Conservation of Mass/Matter
Post by: constant thinker on March 29, 2006, 09:05:23 PM

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

How dumb of me. I forget to take into account what happens after the two come together. They go BOOM! and release a tremendous amount of energy. That is where the matter goes. Thank you Borek. I guess I spaced out on this one.