Can matter be destroyed?

Gnomon

Matter can be destroyed by being converted into energy. This happens in nuclear reactions, such as the ones in the centre of the sun, or the ones in an atom bomb or a hydrogen bomb. The destruction of small amounts produces an awful lot of energy, so the sun is very hot. Dec 07 02, 11:11 PM

TechBoy

The first law of conservation of mass says that energy cannot be created nor destroyed. This longstanding fundamental law of physics suprisingly still stands today, which answers your question. The laws further dictate that the same holds true for energy and charge. These quantities can only be converted between one antoher. Matter isn't destroyed in a nuclear reaction. The energy released is the result of a sustained nuclear reaction which occurs as a release of energy from the reaction. The fundamental unit of matter still exists. In a net system, the amount of energy, mass, and charge is constant. Dec 08 02, 8:15 AM

Gnomon

Matter is destroyed in a nuclear reaction, in that it is converted into energy. It is no longer matter. The fundamental law of physics is that matter/energy cannot be destroyed. This means that you must have one or the other, but you can convert matter to energy and energy to matter. Dec 09 02, 9:50 AM

Son of The Household Cavalry

Yes. If you want proof, come round to my house and try my wife's cooking Dec 09 02, 10:43 AM