Is it possible to turn energy into matter

Each can convert into the other. According to Einstein and the first law of thermodynamics, a fixed quantity of energy and matter exist in the universe. When two protons collide in the Large Hadron Collider , they may break apart into subatomic particles called quarks and a mitigating particle force called a gluon.

Even when matter and antimatter annihilate each other, they produce energy, in the form of photons, which are quantum units of light.

If you were to build a molecule out of atoms , you wouldn't be creating matter. An atom is matter as well -- and so are the subatomic particles within it. It's like if you took flour and used it to make a cake. You wouldn't be creating food. Instead, you'd be taking one food product and building a more complicated food out of it. To manufacture matter in a way that adheres to the first law of thermodynamics, you have to convert energy into matter.

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Other physicists were skeptical that the device could be constructed that quickly. But they did agree that researchers would give it a shot. Karen Kaplan is science and medicine editor at the Los Angeles Times. Before joining the science group, she covered technology in the Business section. This scientist is finding out. All Sections. About Us.