UPSC Prelims 2012 · Question 18 of 98

UPSC Prelims 2012 question on Anti Helium Nucleus Brookhaven

A team of scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory including those from India created the heaviest anti-matter (anti-helium nucleus). What is/are the implication/implications of the creation of anti-matter?

1. It will make mineral prospecting and oil exploration easier and cheaper.

2. It will help probe the possibility of the existence of stars and galaxies made of anti-matter.

3. It will help understand the evolution of the universe.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
Show answer

Answer: B. 2 and 3 only

Verdict

Correct Answer: 2 and 3 only

Statements 2 and 3 are correct because antimatter research helps search for antimatter structures in space and understand the evolution of the universe, while it is not used for mineral or oil exploration.

Analysis

Antimatter consists of particles having the same mass as ordinary matter particles but opposite charge and quantum properties. Its study helps in understanding cosmic matter-antimatter imbalance and the early universe.

Statement by statement

1. Mineral prospecting and oil exploration — Incorrect

Antimatter is extremely rare, costly and difficult to produce or store.

It annihilates on contact with ordinary matter, so it is not practically used for mineral prospecting or oil exploration. These fields use methods like seismic surveys, magnetic surveys and remote sensing.

2. Possibility of anti-matter stars and galaxies — Correct

The creation of heavy antimatter nuclei helps scientists identify possible antimatter signatures in cosmic rays.

This can support the search for distant antimatter stars or galaxies, if they exist.

3. Understanding the evolution of the universe — Correct

Studying antimatter helps address the question of why the universe is dominated by matter.

This is linked to baryon asymmetry, where matter and antimatter should have formed in equal amounts after the Big Bang, but matter became dominant.

Extra UPSC info

* Anti-helium-4 is one of the heaviest antimatter nuclei created in laboratories.

* It was detected by the STAR collaboration at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

* Indian scientists were also part of this international research effort.

* Antimatter annihilates with matter, releasing large amounts of energy.

* Positrons, the antimatter counterpart of electrons, are used in PET scans.

* Antimatter propulsion is theoretically possible but far beyond present practical technology.

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