Matter can be destroyed
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Can Matter Be Destroyed? Insights from Recent Research
The Concept of Matter Destruction in Physics
The traditional view in physics, rooted in Newtonian mechanics and the law of conservation of mass-energy, posits that matter cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. This principle is foundational in both classical and modern physics, including General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics5 9. However, recent research has explored scenarios where matter appears to be destroyed or transformed in ways that challenge this classical understanding.
Self-Destructing Dark Matter
One intriguing area of study involves Self-Destructing Dark Matter (SDDM). This class of dark matter models suggests that dark matter particles can transition from a stable state to a short-lived one upon interacting with ordinary matter, leading to their decay into Standard Model particles. This process generates detectable signals in neutrino detectors, providing a unique method for observing dark matter1 2. The inherent fragility of SDDM implies that it must be produced through late-time mechanisms, such as atomic rearrangement processes in our galaxy1.
Baryon Destruction by Asymmetric Dark Matter
Another fascinating concept is the destruction of baryons (protons and neutrons) by asymmetric dark matter. In these models, dark matter particles carry an antibaryon number and can induce nucleon decay through inelastic scattering. This process effectively destroys visible baryons, leading to a finite nucleon lifetime and providing a novel approach for detecting dark matter in nucleon decay experiments3.
Matter Transformation in Gauge Theories
In the realm of gauge theories, it has been shown that matter fields can induce a deconfinement transition in three-dimensional compact U(1) gauge theories. This transition destroys the permanent confinement of electric charges, leading to a phase where the original electric charges are unconfined. This phenomenon is driven by a nontrivial infrared fixed point and the anomalous scaling dimension of the gauge field4.
The Role of Negative Energy in Matter Destruction
Special Relativity also provides insights into matter destruction through the concept of negative energy. Negative energy, often associated with dark energy, can lead to the destruction of matter. This process is observed in astronomical events such as supernovae and nova explosions, where the energy and dark energy negate each other, resulting in the emission of light and the destruction of matter6.
The Annihilation of Matter in Astronomy
Astronomical observations suggest that the annihilation of matter is a fundamental process in the universe. The energy radiated by stars is believed to originate from the annihilation of matter, challenging the classical view that matter is permanent and indestructible. This perspective is gaining acceptance among astronomers, although it is approached with caution by many physicists7.
Conclusion
While the classical view holds that matter cannot be destroyed, recent research in dark matter models, gauge theories, and astronomical observations suggests scenarios where matter can be effectively destroyed or transformed in ways that challenge traditional understanding. These findings open new avenues for exploring the fundamental nature of matter and the universe.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Self-destructing atomic dark matter
Self-destructing dark matter (SDDM) can be produced by atomic rearrangement in our galaxy, potentially revealing significant discovery reach in Super-Kamiokande experiment data.
Self-Destructing Dark Matter
Self-Destructing Dark Matter (SDDM) models can produce detectable signals in large neutrino detectors, potentially revealing new insights into dark matter.
Baryon destruction by asymmetric dark matter
Asymmetric dark matter can cause induced nucleon decay by annihilating visible baryons, potentially detecting cosmic dark matter in nucleon decay experiments and affecting stellar systems.
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