ANTI matter?

Question

why is antimatter so hard to obtain and use for energy, what are its setbacks?

Answer 1

Its extremely rare. Scientist aren't even sure if it still exist naturally. If there were natural anti matter just floating around here it would react with the regular matter destroying each other. Since there seems to still be life here on this planet one would conclude there isn't as much anti-matter as matter in the universe. And if there was more matter than anti-matter to start with all the matters would react and there wouldn't be any antimatter left just the surplus of matter we have around us now.

[However some scientist THINK some antimatter may exist at the center of the galaxy]

So if it doesn't exist naturally then you have to make it. We have particle accelerator aka atom smashers that can create antimatter. However it only creates about two picograms of antiprotons each year(thats 2 triilionth of a gram). Which is enough to power a 100-watt electric light bulb for three seconds. And considering antimatter is estimated to be worth $300 billion per milligram. And the machine doesn't power, build, or maintains itself...it cost a few million dollars to produce 1 billionth of a gram.

So unless they make it a lot cheaper to make even gas being $100 per gallon would be cheaper. Notice I said per GALLON not per barrel.(Heck I wish it went down to $100 per barrel)

Answer 2

No one has proven anti matter exists. I'd call that fact a setback.

Answer 3

because anti-matter is the exact opposite of matter. everything around you is matter...when matter and anti-matter meet, they destroy each other. So how do you control something that destroys everything your universe is made of. they have been able to create small amounts in PET scans. But as for an actual use as an energy supply? we are a long way off from that.