• Question: If dark matter doesnt exist, would our grasp on physics be completely wrong? Also, if it was proved to exist, and we could store it, what would it mean for the future of chemistry.

    Asked by Thomas,Dingle to Alex, Anaïs, Peter, Sarwat, Shreesha on 10 Mar 2015.
    • Photo: Alexander Henderson

      Alexander Henderson answered on 10 Mar 2015:

      Ok I am no specialist in this area but I’ll have a go. My understanding of dark matter is that it’s invoked to exist because the total mass of the planets and stars etc is much less than the calculated mass of the universe. Our current knowledge of physics is quite advanced and has survived without knowing what or whether dark matter is or exists. I’m sceptical whether it would change much day to day use and application of physics / chemistry. However it would still be really interesting to be able to draw conclusions on dark matter as it would probably help explain aspects of our universe.

    • Photo: Sarwat Iqbal

      Sarwat Iqbal answered on 10 Mar 2015:

      The classical general relativity says, a black hole can absorb anything that comes near, but it can’t emit anything. But quantum mechanics doesn’t allow such an object to exist, In quantum mechanics, if a reaction is possible, the opposite reaction is also possible.
      If we could prove its existence it will be interesting to see the effect on physics and chemistry.

Comments