Falling into the AbyssCh42 - Atonement: Mars (II)

Translator's Note

T/N(Fleur): release a lot of energy – I think the author is probably describing a chemical reaction. 8dD2y

E/N(Kat): A simple quantum physics explanation if anyone is curious: antimatter and matter are particles with opposite electrical charges. The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, and these particles each contain a large amount of energy in the form of mass. During ‘annihilation’, these particles basically destroy each other due to their opposing properties. Their energy can’t just disappear when their masses disappear, so it is instead converted to pure energy and released into the world, resulting in a huge explosion.

Translator's Note

T/N (Fleur): OMG @_@!!! So much science… it’s been ages since I studied any science!! Anyway even though it’s been long, I’m sure everything Tanisiel mentioned has not been realized in reality.

E/N (Kat): yup, as far as I know it’s all made up. And here’s another unnecessary explanation for what Tanisiel’s talking about: ordinary matter refers to atoms that are composed of protons (+ charge) and neutrons (no charge) in their nucleus, with electrons (- charge) orbiting around the nucleus. Converting a proton’s charge doesn’t mean it becomes an electron. Instead, it becomes a different particle called an antiproton (- charge). There are similar counterparts for neutrons and electrons, but each particle/antiparticle are the same mass, meaning the atoms are essentially identical other than their charges. If you’re wondering what the difference between neutrons/antineutrons is since they both don’t have a charge, it’s because particles/antiparticles also have different quantum numbers, which describe different properties of how the electrons/positrons orbit the nucleus.