What is Dark Matter Made Of?

There is no definitive answer to that yet. In summary, dark matter is not composed of atoms and its existence is solely based on gravitational effects on a large scale. Its distribution in space has been observed, but the question of what it is made of remains unanswered.
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Biologik
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Dark matter, is it composed of...

How can we be sure dark matter is matter, if it is, is it composed of Atoms? I thought if something was composed of Atoms it had to react to a magnetic field, which astrophysicists say it does not. Does it have a gravitational effect on other masses? Please post a detailed reply, but no to detailed. I'm only 13. (sorry if this may be grounds for infraction I really don't know what is)
 
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Dark matter is best described by what it is not. For starters, it is NOT composed of atoms or anything that makes up atoms (protons, neutrons, electrons, etc.). It's existence is based ONLY on gravitational effects on a large scale - holding galaxies or galactic clusters together. These effects have been observed in sufficient detail that astronomers can describe its distribution in space. The big unanswered question is - what is it made of?
 

FAQ: What is Dark Matter Made Of?

1. What is dark matter?

Dark matter is a type of matter that does not interact with light or other forms of electromagnetic radiation, making it invisible to telescopes and other instruments used to observe the universe.

2. How do we know that dark matter exists?

Scientists have observed the effects of dark matter on the rotation of galaxies, the bending of light around massive objects, and the structure of the universe on a large scale. This evidence suggests that there is more matter in the universe than what we can see, and this additional matter is dark matter.

3. What is dark matter made of?

The exact composition of dark matter is still unknown. However, based on current theories, it is believed to be made of some type of subatomic particle that does not interact with light.

4. Is dark matter the same as antimatter?

No, dark matter and antimatter are two different concepts. Antimatter has the same properties as regular matter, but with opposite charge. Dark matter, on the other hand, does not interact with electromagnetic radiation and has different properties than regular matter.

5. Can we create or destroy dark matter?

Currently, there is no known way to create or destroy dark matter. It is believed to be a fundamental component of the universe and cannot be manipulated or changed by human technology. However, scientists continue to study and search for ways to better understand dark matter and its properties.

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