Antimatter is a type matter concerning itself with the field of particle physics. It is also the most expensive substance in the world. Antimatter is made up of antiparticles which are particles that have the same mass a normal form of matter, but the particle contains an opposite charge. When antimatter and normal matter come in contact with each other, they essentially negate each other and both particles cease to exist while release high amounts of energy in their destruction. When matter and antimatter collide they release particles in the from of energy filled photons in the form of gamma rays, neutrinos, and other sub-atomic low mass particles. Antimatter forms the same way normal matter forms: sub-atomic particles attracting each other. Early theories of antimatter appeared in the late 1800’s however they were dismissed as such a topic could not be studied or quantified without highly advanced computer systems and particle accelerators. With recent advancements in technology and particle accelerators scientists have been able to observe certain antiparticles like positrons (the opposite particle of electrons) in their experiments. Antiparticles are produced in enviornments where particles containing high levels of energy collide at extreme speed and only exists for a short moment.
Antimatter is believed to be produced naturally in the universe, however scientist believe that most of the observable universe is made up of ordinary matter. Certain types of antimatter are understood to be produced in cosmic rays found in the universe. Antimatter and antiparticles can also be produced artificially in labs using particle accelerators. Accelerators like the Large Hadron Collider are capable of producing certain types of antiparticles, which then form together to produce antimatter. Antimatter particles such as Antihydrogen (the opposite atom of hydrogen) have been produced on Earth in labs operated by CERN, which is the European Organization for Nuclear Research.
Antimatter is also the most expensive substance in the world because it is extremely difficult to make as it requires vast amounts of energy, resources, and technology. Additionally Antimatter only exists for a few minutes when produced in labs before it disappears. NASA estimates that 1 gram of antimatter costs $62.5 trillion dollars as it is just so difficult to make. CERN has also exclaimed that it has cost them a “few hundred million Swiss Fancs” to produce a little less than one billionth of one gram of antimatter. The insane amounts of resources need to produce antimatter is why it is so astronomically expensive.
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