Antimatter and Gravity: Confirming Einstein’s Theory
Observation of the effect of gravity on the motion of antimatter
Einstein’s general theory of relativity, which describes gravity, has been highly successful in experimental tests. However, concepts like dark matter and dark energy suggest gaps in our understanding of the universe’s gravitational properties. Researchers are exploring gravity in unique settings, including with antimatter. A recent experiment with antihydrogen atoms shows they are attracted to Earth, confirming a fundamental principle called the weak equivalence principle (WEP). This paves the way for precise studies of how gravity affects antimatter, testing the WEP.
Anderson, E.K., Baker, C.J., Bertsche, W. et al. Observation of the effect of gravity on the motion of antimatter. Nature 621, 716–722 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06527-1
