We explain what dark matter is and why it is so important. Also, what is antimatter and dark energy.
What is dark matter?
In astrophysics, dark matter is known as a component of the universe that is different from the so-called baryonic matter (ordinary matter), neutrinos and dark energy. Its name comes from the fact that does not emit or interact in any way with electromagnetic radiation and is, therefore, invisible throughout the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation. It should not, however, be confused with antimatter.
Dark matter makes up about 25% of the total mass of the universe and there are strong indications of its existence due to the effects of its gravity, which are perceptible in the astronomical objects around it. In fact, the possibility that it existed was first proposed in 1933, when Swiss astronomer and physicist Fritz Zwicky noticed that a “non-visible mass” influenced the orbital velocities of galaxy clusters. Since then, many other additional observations have coincided in pointing out its probable existence.
Not much is known about dark matter. Its composition is an enigma, but one possibility could be that was composed of ordinary heavy neutrinos or recently proposed elementary particles, such as WIMPs (from English weakly interacting massive particles), or axions, to name just a few examples. The definitive answer about its composition is one of the main questions of modern cosmology and particle physics.
See also: General properties of matter
Importance of dark matter
The existence of dark matter is important in Understanding the Big Bang Universe Formation Model and the way space bodies behave. Scientific calculations show that there is much more matter in the universe than can be observed. For example, it is common for the predicted behavior of galaxies to be altered for no apparent reason, except for the possibility that there is an amount of unobservable matter exerting a gravitational modification on the visible matter.
Antimatter
We should not confuse dark matter with antimatter. This last one is a form of ordinary matter, such as that which composes us but made up of fundamental particles of opposite electrical sign: positive/negative.
An anti-electron is a particle of antimatter that would correspond to an electron, but with a positive instead of a negative charge. Anti-matter does not exist in a stable form because it is annihilated with matter (which exists in greater proportion) so that it is not organized into observable atoms and molecules. It is only possible to obtain antimatter through particle accelerators. However, its production is complicated and expensive.
Continue on: Antimatter
dark energy
Dark energy is a form of energy present throughout the space of the universe which tends to accelerate its expansion through a pressure or repulsive gravitational force.
It is estimated that 68% of the energy-matter of the universe is of this type, and that it is a very homogeneous form of energy, which does not interact with any other of the fundamental forces of the universe, which is why it is called “dark”. ”. But it has nothing to do, in principle, with dark matter.
References
- “Dark matter” at https://es.wikipedia.org/
- “What is dark matter?” at https://www.muyinteresante.es/
- “What is dark matter and what is it for?” at https://www.bbc.com/
- “What is dark matter and dark energy?” (video) in Kurtzgesagt – In a Nutshell. https://www.youtube.com/
- “Dark Matter” at https://www.nationalgeographic.com/
- “Dark Matter” at https://www.britannica.com/
