Exploring the Possibility of Negative Mass: Implications and Limitations

In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of negative mass and its potential implications in classical mechanics. It is suggested that if two particles with opposite and equal values of negative mass existed in a non-interfering environment, they would repel each other. However, the actual behavior of particles with negative mass is still unknown, as our current laws are based on positive mass. Further research and understanding is needed in this area.
  • #1
Allen_Wolf
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If we imagine two particles A and B. A has positive mass and B has negative mass and initial velocity 0. This happens in a non interfering environment . If both theses has opposite and equal value of mass, shouldn't they be repelling each other?
F=G. (M.-m)/r^2. Value of F should be negative.
 
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  • #2
Allen_Wolf said:
If we imagine two particles A and B. A gas positive mass and B has negative mass and initial velocity 0. This happens in a non interfering environment . If both theses has opposite and equal value of mass, shouldn't they be repelling each other?
F=G. (M.-m)/r^2. Value of F should be negative.
Do you have a link to a journal article that discusses negative mass? That would be a big help. Thanks.
 
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  • #3
If you use a negative m in F = ma as well, things get truly bizarre. The force of gravity from rgw positive mass on the negative points away from the positive mass, but the negative mass accelerates towards the positive mass anyway, because the acceleration will now be in the opposite direction of the force. The positive mass is also repelled and this one does accelerate away.
 
  • #4
Allen_Wolf said:
If we imagine two particles A and B. A gas positive mass and B has negative mass and initial velocity 0. This happens in a non interfering environment . If both theses has opposite and equal value of mass, shouldn't they be repelling each other?
F=G. (M.-m)/r^2. Value of F should be negative.

According to classical mechanics the distance would increase for negative total mass, decrease for positive total mass and remain constant for zero total mass. Both particles would be accelerated in the same direction.
 
  • #5
Allen_Wolf said:
If both theses has opposite and equal value of mass, shouldn't they be repelling each other?

We can try to use negative mass in our equations and see what comes out, but the reality is that we have utterly no idea what would happen if negative mass existed. All of our laws are based on mass always being positive. Any claim that particles with negative mass will behave a certain way needs to be understood as having an implicit assumption that you can describe the behavior of particles with negative mass with our current laws. That assumption may or may not be true.
 

FAQ: Exploring the Possibility of Negative Mass: Implications and Limitations

What is positive and negative mass?

Positive and negative mass refers to theoretical forms of matter with properties opposite to those of normal matter. Positive mass has positive inertia and is attracted to other masses, while negative mass has negative inertia and is repelled by other masses.

Can positive and negative mass coexist?

Yes, according to current theories, positive and negative mass can coexist in the same space. However, they would repel each other and not interact in any significant way.

What are the potential applications of negative mass?

Negative mass is still a theoretical concept and has not been observed or created in a laboratory setting. However, it has been proposed that negative mass could potentially be used for anti-gravity and propulsion technologies.

How is negative mass different from antimatter?

Negative mass and antimatter are two distinct concepts. Antimatter has the same inertial properties as regular matter, but it has opposite charge and can annihilate with matter. Negative mass, on the other hand, has opposite inertial properties and would not annihilate with regular matter.

Is negative mass possible?

While negative mass has not been observed or created, it is allowed by current theories and equations in physics. However, it is still a highly speculative concept and its existence has not been confirmed. Further research and experiments are needed to determine if negative mass is possible.

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