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Baryogenesis is the theoretical process that attempts to explain the imbalance between matter and antimatter in the universe. It involves mechanisms that violate baryon number conservation, CP symmetry, and thermal equilibrium to produce a surplus of baryons over antibaryons after the Big Bang.
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Baryon number violation refers to theoretical processes in which the conservation of baryon number is not upheld, allowing baryons to transform into other particles. This concept is crucial for explaining phenomena like baryogenesis, which accounts for the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe.
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CPT Symmetry is a fundamental principle in particle physics that states the laws of physics remain invariant when three transformations are applied simultaneously: charge conjugation (C), parity transformation (P), and time reversal (T). This symmetry is a cornerstone of the Standard Model and implies that any violation in one of these symmetries must be compensated by a violation in another to maintain the overall CPT Symmetry.
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CP violation refers to the phenomenon where the laws of physics change when particles are replaced with their antiparticles (C symmetry) and their spatial coordinates are inverted (P symmetry). This violation is crucial in explaining the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe, as it allows for processes that favor matter over antimatter.
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Thermal equilibrium is a state in which two or more objects in thermal contact no longer exchange energy through heat, resulting in a uniform temperature across the system. It is a fundamental concept in thermodynamics that underlies the zeroth law, which allows the definition of temperature scales.
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Matter-antimatter asymmetry refers to the observed imbalance between matter and antimatter in the universe, where matter vastly outnumbers antimatter despite theories suggesting they should have been created in equal amounts during the Big Bang. This asymmetry is a fundamental question in physics and has implications for understanding the evolution of the universe and the laws governing particle interactions.
The Standard Model of Particle Physics is a well-established theory that describes three of the four known fundamental forces in the universe and classifies all known subatomic particles. It successfully explains electromagnetic, weak, and strong nuclear interactions but does not incorporate gravity or account for dark matter and dark energy.
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Cosmology is the scientific study of the large-scale properties and dynamics of the universe, encompassing its origin, evolution, and eventual fate. It integrates observational astronomy and theoretical physics to explore fundamental questions about the universe's structure, composition, and the laws governing its expansion and development.
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Electroweak baryogenesis is a theoretical framework that attempts to explain the observed asymmetry between matter and antimatter in the universe through processes occurring during the electroweak phase transition in the early universe. It suggests that conditions during this phase transition could violate CP symmetry and baryon number conservation, leading to an excess of baryons over antibaryons.
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Baryon asymmetry refers to the observed imbalance between baryons (matter) and antibaryons (antimatter) in the universe, which is not accounted for by the Standard Model of particle physics. This asymmetry is crucial for the existence of the universe as we know it, as a perfect balance would have led to mutual annihilation, leaving behind only radiation.
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