Why does the universe favor matter over its mirror image?

Space · Published 31 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: For every particle of matter in existence, there should theoretically be an equal amount of antimatter. Yet, our world is almost entirely made of ordinary stuff. Understanding why this cosmic imbalance exists remains one of the most profound mysteries in modern physics.

Antimatter is essentially the mirror image of ordinary matter. Every known type of matter has a corresponding antiparticle that possesses equal mass but an opposite electric charge. For example, while an electron is a fundamental building block of matter, its counterpart is the positron. When these two opposites meet, they undergo a process called annihilation, where both particles vanish and convert entirely into pure energy.

Studying this substance is notoriously difficult because it cannot be held in conventional laboratory apparatuses; any contact with ordinary matter results in immediate destruction. To overcome this, physicists have developed sophisticated traps to isolate single subatomic particles. Recent breakthroughs have allowed scientists to trap a single positron for months at a time, providing a stable environment to perform quantum measurements on its states.

The mechanism for creating these particles often involves radioactive decay. Sodium-22 is employed as a radioactive isotope which possesses a half-life of roughly two and a half years. When a sodium-22 atom decays, it emits a positron. By capturing and isolating these particles, researchers hope to uncover the secret of why the universe is dominated by matter instead of being an empty void of annihilated energy.

This research addresses a fundamental cosmological question: if the Big Bang should have produced equal amounts of both, why did antimatter seemingly disappear? Solving this mystery could reveal deep truths about the origins of space, time, and the very fabric of reality.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The mirror universe of matter: why antimatter is so elusive
• Why does the universe contain so little of its own mirror image?
• The universe is a paradox that should not scientifically exist
• The universe should not exist because of a cosmic imbalance
• The universe should be empty of matter, but it isn't.
• A hundred million neutrinos pass through your thumbnail every second
• The universe is comprehensible, yet we are still largely in the dark
• Every atom in your body was forged 13.7 billion years ago
• Is there a hidden force shaping our physical reality?
• How a single spoonful of cosmic matter might outweigh our entire planet
• The Big Bang is not the beginning of everything
• Is the universe finally breaking out of its billion-year monotony?

More in Cosmology · More in Space · Latest · A–Z · All topics