Are particles that are their own antiparticles real?
Are particles that are their own antiparticles real?
Imagine you're trying to find a unique key that can unlock a door from both sides, a key that fits perfectly no matter which way you turn it. This sounds impossible with regular keys, right?
In the world of tiny particles, there's a theoretical key that fits perfectly in both directions, making it its own opposite. This key is called a Majorana fermion.
Example
Just like a unique key that fits perfectly from both sides, a Majorana fermion is a particle that is its own antiparticle.
Remember this
A Majorana fermion is a particle that is its own antiparticle, making it unique in particle physics.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Virtual particle
Why do particles sometimes pop in and out of existence?
Mathematical formulation of the Standard Model
Ever wondered why particles behave so strangely?
Schwinger limit
Can light itself create particles?
Topological insulator
Topological insulators conduct on the surface but insulate in the bulk
Supersymmetry
Every fermion has a bosonic partner and vice versa
Quantum spin Hall effect
Can electricity flow without losing its spin?
Swipe through more Physics concepts
Open Pocket Polymath