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Q43 (IAS/2012) Science & Technology › Basic Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) › Atomic and nuclear physics Answer Verified

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 :

Result
Your answer: —  Â·  Correct: B
Explanation

In 2011, the STAR collaboration at Brookhaven National Laboratory detected antihelium-4, the heaviest antimatter nucleus observed to date. This discovery has profound scientific implications. First, it helps understand the evolution of the universe by providing clues about the matter-antimatter asymmetry that occurred shortly after the Big Bang. Second, detecting such heavy antimatter nuclei provides a benchmark for space-based experiments like the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), which searches for antihelium in cosmic rays to probe the possible existence of distant stars or galaxies made entirely of antimatter. While antimatter has theoretical potential for high-energy propulsion or power, there is no scientific evidence or established mechanism suggesting it can be used for mineral prospecting or oil exploration, making statement 1 incorrect. Thus, only statements 2 and 3 are valid implications of this discovery.

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