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BigPapaSmurf
SFN Die Hard
3192 Posts |
 Posted - 09/12/2007 : 11:01:38
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6991030.stm
Positronium, as the new molecule is known, was predicted to exist in 1946 but has remained elusive to science.
Now, a US team has created thousands of the molecules by merging electrons with their antimatter equivalent: positrons.
The discovery, reported in the journal Nature, is a key step in the creation of ultrapowerful lasers known as gamma-ray annihilation lasers.
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"...things I have neither seen nor experienced nor heard tell of from anybody else; things, what is more, that do not in fact exist and could not ever exist at all. So my readers must not believe a word I say." -Lucian on his book True History
"...They accept such things on faith alone, without any evidence. So if a fraudulent and cunning person who knows how to take advantage of a situation comes among them, he can make himself rich in a short time." -Lucian critical of early Christians c.166 AD From his book, De Morte Peregrini |
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pleco
SFN Addict
USA
2998 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2007 : 11:03:30 [Permalink]
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| I would love to have a gamma-ray annihilation laser to use against the terrorists. Just think of the children! |
by Filthy
The neo-con methane machine will soon be running at full fart. |
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| Edited by - pleco on 09/12/2007 11:03:45 |
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Siberia
SFN Addict
Brazil
2322 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2007 : 14:22:47 [Permalink]
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Positronic brains, I wonder?
Science; always surprising. |
"Why are you afraid of something you're not even sure exists?"
- The Kovenant, Via Negativa
"People who don't like their beliefs being laughed at shouldn't have such funny beliefs."
-- unknown
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Paulos23
Skeptic Friend
USA
446 Posts |
Posted - 09/13/2007 : 05:53:15 [Permalink]
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I prefer my matter cherry flavored. :)
This is cool though. |
You can go wrong by being too skeptical as readily as by being too trusting. -- Robert A. Heinlein
Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored. -- Aldous Huxley |
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furshur
SFN Regular
USA
1536 Posts |
Posted - 09/13/2007 : 07:36:52 [Permalink]
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Di-positronium, as the new molecule is known, was predicted to exist in 1946 but has remained elusive to science.
Now, a US team has created thousands of the molecules by merging electrons with their antimatter equivalent: positrons.
As the positrons rushed into the voids they were able to capture electrons to form atoms. Where atoms met, they formed molecules. |
I wouldn't call these 'things' atoms or molecules. They are much more exotic than that.
How can they be atoms if there is no protons or nuetrons. The are certainly atom-like since an electron is 'orbiting' a positron. This matter would be almost massless.
Mass of proton : 1,6726 x 10^(-27) kg
Mass of neutron: 1,6749 x 10^(-27) kg
Mass of electron: 0,00091x10^(-27) kg
The mass of the electom(tm) would be ~ 1800 times lighter than a hydrogen atom.
Wierd stuff, but I like it! |
If I knew then what I know now then I would know more now than I know. |
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Matter, now in 5 flavors!
