When considering the nature of matter in the Universe, it becomes evident that everything we observe—galaxies, stars, planets, and cosmic dust—is composed of matter rather than antimatter. The physical and chemical attributes of these structures mirror those we encounter on our own planet, Earth. However, what if everyday objects were comprised of antimatter instead? This intriguing question arose during a recent discussion in my household:

Jamie: Uck! <disgusted noise> What is this <sticky hands gesture> on the back of this chair?

Me: <raises eyebrows> I don’t know. <pause> Is it antimatter?

Jamie: <thoughtful consideration> I don’t know. Is antimatter sticky?

Me: <reflexively> Gross! And also, yes.

Indeed, the response is affirmative: antimatter exhibits stickiness akin to that of normal matter. Here’s the reasoning behind this conclusion.

When we discuss the fundamental characteristics of materials—such as stickiness, elasticity, and flexibility—we refer to macroscopic traits that can be measured without altering the substance itself. For example, when interacting with sticky dough or a flexible rubber band, their inherent properties remain unchanged despite physical contact.

To comprehend the origins of these properties, we must delve into the microscopic realm, where all matter is composed of atoms. These atoms form molecules, which bond through various inter-atomic forces, creating the larger objects we experience daily.

The sensation of stickiness arises from interactions between the electrons of the material and those in our fingertips. This interaction is governed by how the atoms and their electrons bind together—whether covalently, ionically, or through other means.

This principle holds true for other physical properties, such as color, where the interaction of photons with our eyes determines our perception. Ultimately, the behavior of electrons and the atomic transitions they undergo are what dictate these properties.

However, we face a significant challenge: we lack stable antimatter in substantial quantities for experimentation. Creating antimatter particles involves collisions with immense energy, leading to the spontaneous generation of particle-antiparticle pairs, as described by Einstein's mass-energy equivalence principle: E = mc². Unfortunately, this process results in antimatter particles that move at speeds approaching that of light, making them prone to decay or annihilation upon encountering normal matter.

The theoretical framework surrounding antimatter has existed for over 90 years, initially emerging from the need to reconcile quantum mechanics with relativity. Early attempts to modify the Schrödinger equation for relativistic particles yielded nonsensical negative probabilities, prompting further exploration.

The breakthrough came with the Dirac equation, which provided accurate descriptions of electrons and introduced the concept of antiparticles. The positron, the antimatter counterpart of the electron, became the first observed example of antimatter, leading to the understanding that every matter particle possesses an antiparticle.

Currently, the production of antimatter remains a complex endeavor, primarily achieved through high-energy collisions. While it is theoretically possible for antimatter to have properties similar to those of matter—such as stickiness—practical experimentation to verify this has been limited.

Recently, advancements at CERN's antimatter factory have enabled scientists to explore how antiparticles interact and bind to form anti-atoms. If antimatter adheres to the same principles as normal matter, anti-atoms should exhibit identical properties, including energy levels and atomic transitions.

In 2016, researchers at CERN's ALPHA experiment successfully measured the atomic spectra of antihydrogen, confirming that it absorbed and emitted photons at the same frequencies as normal hydrogen. Subsequent experiments have consistently shown that the quantum properties of positrons in anti-atoms mirror those of electrons in regular atoms.

The discoveries of the past decade have established that antimatter's fundamental building blocks—antiprotons, antineutrons, and positrons—bind together and demonstrate quantum transitions that are indistinguishable from those of normal matter.

While there may be slight discrepancies in specific interactions, such as radioactive decay, the overarching conclusion is that if our world were composed of antimatter, its physical and chemical properties would remain consistent with those of our current reality.

If you encounter something sticky, rest assured that its antimatter equivalent would also exhibit the same stickiness. However, for anyone curious enough to verify this directly, remember to ensure you’re made of antimatter too, or the outcome may be rather explosive.

Send in your Ask Ethan questions to startswithabang at gmail dot com!

Starts With A Bang is now on Forbes and is republished on Medium with a 7-day delay. Ethan has authored two books, Beyond The Galaxy, and Treknology: The Science of Star Trek from Tricorders to Warp Drive.