Neutron stars are the densest things that are not black holes.

在中子星的核心裡面，我們可以發現世上最危險的東西：

In their cores, we might find the most dangerous substance in existence:

奇異物質

In their cores, we might find the most dangerous substance in existence:

這是一種極度奇怪的物質，它扭曲了宇宙的法則

strange matter᠎.

且可以感染和破壞一切與它接觸的物質

A bizarre thing so extreme that it bends the rules of the universe

也有可能，它能夠告訴我們宇宙是如何形成的，

A bizarre thing so extreme that it bends the rules of the universe

又或是兩者兼具。

strange matter᠎.

要瞭解這種極端的奇異物質，我們先討論一些基礎的事情：

and could infect and destroy everything it comes into contact with.

什麼是中子星？而奇異物質又是如何打破宇宙規則的？

and could infect and destroy everything it comes into contact with.

為了將這些知識融入到這部影片中，我們將會簡化某些部分

Or, it could teach us about how the universe began.

但是我們也將提供更加深入的資源給那些想要了解細節的人。

Or, it could teach us about how the universe began.

中子星是超新星爆炸後所留下來的產物

Maybe both.

當超新星爆炸時，恆星的核心會被自身的重力壓垮，

Maybe both.

在如此重力如此強大的作用下，原子核和其他的粒子被暴力地聚集在了一起，

To understand how extreme strange matter really is,

電子被擠進質子裡面，以致於他們融合並形成了中子。

To understand how extreme strange matter really is,

原子之間的空間突然被互相排斥的粒子充斥著

we first need to get a few basics.

他們會絕望的對抗重力、不想要被壓扁。

we first need to get a few basics.

如果重力得勝，那麼這顆恆星就會變成黑洞

What is a neutron star, and how does strange matter break the rules of the universe?

如果他們得勝，恆星就變成了中子星

What is a neutron star, and how does strange matter break the rules of the universe?

中子星就像都市大小的原子核

To get all of this into one video, we'll grossly oversimplify a few things

但有著太陽一般的質量 （非依照比例繪製）

To get all of this into one video, we'll grossly oversimplify a few things

事情開始變得奇怪囉

but we'll provide you with further reading, if you want more details.

中子星的核心環境是如此極端，連核子物理的法則都變了

but we'll provide you with further reading, if you want more details.

這可能導致一種奇異而極度危險的物質產生出來

A neutron star is what remains after a very massive star explodes in a supernova.

但讓我們按步就班的來說明 （夸克基礎課程）

A neutron star is what remains after a very massive star explodes in a supernova.

首先我們要知道規則是什麼，才能知道規則怎麼被打破

When this happens, the star's core collapses under its own gravity,

質子和中子是構成原子核的粒子

When this happens, the star's core collapses under its own gravity,

而質子和中子又是由叫作夸克的小粒子構成的

with such a strong inward force

夸克討厭寂寞，這是因為「夸克禁閉」

with such a strong inward force

你可以試著分開夸克

that it squeezes nuclei and particles together violently.

但你愈是用力，他們就愈不想分開

that it squeezes nuclei and particles together violently.

如果你用強大的能量強迫他們分開， 他們就會用你的能量產生新的夸克

Electrons are pushed into protons, so they merge, and turn into neutrons.

夸克只能當作其他粒子的建築材料而存在， 他們不會單獨出現

Electrons are pushed into protons, so they merge, and turn into neutrons.

夸克有很多種，但是只有兩種能夠構成穩定的物質

All the ᠎nothing inside of atoms᠎ ᠎is suddenly completely filled with particles

就是上夸克和下夸克，他們是質子和中子的建築材料

All the ᠎nothing inside of atoms᠎ ᠎is suddenly completely filled with particles

其他類型的夸克只要一下子就會衰變了

that really don't want to be close to each other but have no choice.

但是在中子星裡情況可能大不同

that really don't want to be close to each other but have no choice.

中子星的核心壓力超大

They desperately push back against gravity, against the collapse.

那裡的環境其實就很像大霹靂發生沒多久後的宇宙

They desperately push back against gravity, against the collapse.

中子星的核心就像化石一樣， 可以讓我們了解過去發生了什麼事

If gravity wins, they will become a black hole.

所以，研究中子星裡的夸克

If gravity wins, they will become a black hole.

就是一種了解宇宙本質的方法之一

If they win, they become a neutron star.

有一個假說是，在中子星的核心裡， 質子和中子會解除禁閉（deconfine）

If they win, they become a neutron star.

所有的粒子會擠在一起，溶化成一團夸克湯

This makes neutron stars like giant atomic nuclei the size of a city,

無數的粒子變成了由夸克組成的巨大單一個體

This makes neutron stars like giant atomic nuclei the size of a city,

即是夸克物質

but holding the mass of our Sun.

由這種物質構成的恆星被稱為夸克星

but holding the mass of our Sun.

不過，從外表看起來，他們就跟普通的中子星沒兩樣

And here, things get weird.

現在，我們總算可以討論最危險的物質啦

And here, things get weird.

如果夸克星裡面的壓力夠大，那事情可能變得更奇異

The environment in the core of neutron stars is so extreme

真心不騙

The environment in the core of neutron stars is so extreme

在中子星的核心，有些夸克可能會轉變成「奇夸克」

that the rules of nuclear physics change.

奇夸克有著古怪的核子性質，他們比較重

that the rules of nuclear physics change.

然後，該怎麼說才好呢，他們比較強

And, this could lead to a strange and extremely dangerous substance.

如果他們跑出來的話，他們可以創造奇異物質

And, this could lead to a strange and extremely dangerous substance.

奇異物質可能會是物質的理想狀態；

But, let's not get ahead of ourselves.

緊密的完美，穩定的完美，無法毀滅

But, let's not get ahead of ourselves.

比宇宙中其他物質都還要穩定

We first need to know the rules before we learn how they can be broken.

穩定到可以在中子星以外的地方存在

We first need to know the rules before we learn how they can be broken.

如果真有其事的話，那我們就麻煩大了

Protons and neutrons, the particles making up the nuclei of atoms,

因為他可能有傳染性

Protons and neutrons, the particles making up the nuclei of atoms,

碰到奇異物質的普通物質可能會愛上它的穩定性

are made up of smaller particles called ᠎quarks.

結果把自己也變成奇異物質

are made up of smaller particles called ᠎quarks.

質子和中子會溶化，變成夸克湯的一部份

Quarks really don't want to be alone.

這個過程中會產生出能量，進而製造更多奇異物質

Quarks really don't want to be alone.

解決他們的唯一方法就是把他們丟到黑洞裡

They are what we call ᠎confined.

但是誰在意呀？

They are what we call ᠎confined.

全部的奇異物質都被包在中子星裡

You can try to separate them, but the harder you pull,

但是如果中子星和其他中子星或黑洞相撞

You can try to separate them, but the harder you pull,

他們裡面的東西會灑出來， 其中可能包含稱為「奇異夸克團」的奇異物質

the harder they try to pull themselves back together.

奇異夸克團的密度和中子星的核心密度一樣高

the harder they try to pull themselves back together.

他們可能很小，也許比原子還小

If you use a lot of energy, they just use this energy to create new quarks.

而最大的奇異夸克團大小應該也不會超過一個火箭

If you use a lot of energy, they just use this energy to create new quarks.

這些奇異夸克團會穿梭銀河，

Quarks only exist together as the building blocks of other particles,

直到幾百萬年或幾十億年後不小心撞上一顆恆星或星球

Quarks only exist together as the building blocks of other particles,

如果有一個奇異夸克團打中地球， 那他會馬上開始把地球轉換成奇異物質

and have never been observed by themselves.

他轉換的愈多，就成長的愈快

and have never been observed by themselves.

最後，地球上的所有原子都會被轉換

They come in many types, but only two appear to make stable matter:

地球會變成小行星大小的奇異物質塊

They come in many types, but only two appear to make stable matter:

如果奇異夸克團打中太陽，那它會塌陷成一個奇異星

the ᠎up and down quarks found in protons and neutrons.

就像野火燒森林一樣把它吞噬掉

the ᠎up and down quarks found in protons and neutrons.

太陽的質量不會改變多少，但放出的光會少上很多

All other quarks seem to decay away quickly.

所以地球會變成冰球

All other quarks seem to decay away quickly.

就像小小的病毒一樣，我們沒辦法預測 奇異夸克團是不是要襲擊我們

But, this may be different inside neutron stars.

更慘的是，有些理論認為奇異夸克團 其實很常見，比銀河的恆星還多

But, this may be different inside neutron stars.

這些奇異夸克團可能是在大霹靂之後沒多久形成的

The forces operating in ᠎their cores are so extreme,

當時宇宙非常炎熱、稠密，就像中子星的核心

The forces operating in ᠎their cores are so extreme,

他們可能隨著宇宙演化和擴張， 被星系的重力吸引而攀附

that they are actually similar to the universe shortly after the Big Bang.

奇異夸克團可能其實很多，質量很大

that they are actually similar to the universe shortly after the Big Bang.

說不定他們就是支撐星系的暗物質

Neutron star cores are like fossils

不過也有可能不是

Neutron star cores are like fossils

這些都是推測。地球、太陽和行星 在過去的幾百萬年都沒有被奇異夸克團吞噬

which can let us peer back in time to the beginning of everything.

所以這些事情馬上發生的機率並不高

which can let us peer back in time to the beginning of everything.

了解這些奇怪的東西可以幫助我們理解我們的宇宙的誕生

So, learning how quarks behave inside a neutron star

以及為什麼宇宙長成現在這個樣子

So, learning how quarks behave inside a neutron star

當科學家剛開始玩磁鐵和導線，和探索電子時，

is a way of understanding the very nature of the universe itself.

他們並不知道未來的幾百年內科技會如何進步

is a way of understanding the very nature of the universe itself.

今日探索中子星和奇異物質的科學家

One hypothesis, is that inside a neutron star core

可能替人類難以想像的未來打下基礎

One hypothesis, is that inside a neutron star core

也有可能不是

protons and neutrons ᠎deconfine.

時候到了就知道

protons and neutrons ᠎deconfine.

當你等著看宇宙毀滅時，你可能還想多了解一下宇宙

All the particles cram shoulder-to-shoulder,

我們罩你。

All the particles cram shoulder-to-shoulder,

我們在Brilliant᠎的朋友可以幫你了解 科學、黑洞，還有更多東西

dissolve, and melt into a sort-of bath of quarks.

Brilliant᠎是一個以務實的方法幫助你理解科學的網站

dissolve, and melt into a sort-of bath of quarks.

有互動式解題課程和每日挑戰， 題材包含數學、邏輯和工程學

Uncountable numbers of particles become one giant thing made purely from quarks:

每個問題都會給你所有需要的工具， 讓你可以獨自解決複雜的問題

Uncountable numbers of particles become one giant thing made purely from quarks:

做中學，學中做

quark matter᠎.

用你的好奇心解開所有謎題和課程

quark matter᠎.

包含古典力學、天文學、重力物理，還有更多更多！

A star made from this is called a ᠎quark star.

如果你點擊底下的連結，或前往 brilliant.org/nutshell

A star made from this is called a ᠎quark star.

你可以免費註冊並學到各種意想不到的東西

Though, from the outside, it may not look any different than a regular neutron star.

本頻道的觀眾還有優惠

Though, from the outside, it may not look any different than a regular neutron star.

前688名使用連結的人可以獲得年度會員八折優惠

Now, we can finally talk about the most dangerous substance.

年度會員可以檢視所有的每日問題並可以加入任何課程

Now, we can finally talk about the most dangerous substance.

Brilliant᠎ 讓你每天都變聰明一點

If the pressure inside a quark star is great enough

可能會上癮喔

If the pressure inside a quark star is great enough

it may get stranger.

it may get stranger.

Literally.

Literally.

In the cores of neutron stars, some of the quarks᠎ ᠎may be converted into ᠎strange quarks.

In the cores of neutron stars, some of the quarks᠎ ᠎may be converted into ᠎strange quarks.

Strange quarks have bizarre nuclear properties and they are heavier

Strange quarks have bizarre nuclear properties and they are heavier

and, for the lack of a better word, stronger.

and, for the lack of a better word, stronger.

If they turn up, they could create strange matter.

If they turn up, they could create strange matter.

Strange matter might be the ideal state of matter;

Strange matter might be the ideal state of matter;

perfectly dense, perfectly stable, indestructible.

perfectly dense, perfectly stable, indestructible.

More stable than any other matter in the universe.

More stable than any other matter in the universe.

So stable, that it can exist outside neutron stars.

So stable, that it can exist outside neutron stars.

If this is the case, we have a problem:

If this is the case, we have a problem:

it might be infectious.

it might be infectious.

Every piece of matter it touches might be so impressed by its stability

Every piece of matter it touches might be so impressed by its stability

that it would immediately turn it into strange matter, too.

that it would immediately turn it into strange matter, too.

Protons and neutrons would dissolve and become part of the quark bath

Protons and neutrons would dissolve and become part of the quark bath

which frees energy and creates more strange matter.

which frees energy and creates more strange matter.

The only way to get rid of it would be to throw it into a black hole.

The only way to get rid of it would be to throw it into a black hole.

But, then again, who cares?

But, then again, who cares?

All of it is inside neutron stars.

All of it is inside neutron stars.

Except when neutron stars collide with other neutron stars,

Except when neutron stars collide with other neutron stars,

or black holes,

or black holes,

they spew out tremendous amounts of their insides

they spew out tremendous amounts of their insides

some of which could include little droplets᠎ ᠎of strange matter called ᠎strangelets.

some of which could include little droplets᠎ ᠎of strange matter called ᠎strangelets.

Strangelets are as dense as the core of a neutron star.

Strangelets are as dense as the core of a neutron star.

They could be really small, maybe even subatomic,

They could be really small, maybe even subatomic,

but even the largest strangelets wouldn't be any bigger than a rocket.

but even the largest strangelets wouldn't be any bigger than a rocket.

These strangelets would drift through the galaxy for millions or billions of years

These strangelets would drift through the galaxy for millions or billions of years

until they meet a star or planet by chance.

until they meet a star or planet by chance.

If one were to strike Earth, it would immediately start converting it into strange matter.

If one were to strike Earth, it would immediately start converting it into strange matter.

The more it converts, the more it would grow.

The more it converts, the more it would grow.

Ultimately, all of the atoms making up Earth would be converted.

Ultimately, all of the atoms making up Earth would be converted.

Earth would become a hot clump of strange matter, the size of an asteroid.

Earth would become a hot clump of strange matter, the size of an asteroid.

If a strangelet strikes the Sun, it would collapse into a strange star,

If a strangelet strikes the Sun, it would collapse into a strange star,

eating through it like fire through a dry forest.

eating through it like fire through a dry forest.

This would not change the Sun's mass much, but it would become way less bright,

This would not change the Sun's mass much, but it would become way less bright,

so Earth would freeze to death.

so Earth would freeze to death.

And, like a tiny virus, we'd have no way to see a strangelet coming.

And, like a tiny virus, we'd have no way to see a strangelet coming.

Worse still, some theories suggest strangelets are more than common

Worse still, some theories suggest strangelets are more than common

outnumbering all stars in the galaxy.

outnumbering all stars in the galaxy.

These strangelets could have formed very early after the Big Bang

These strangelets could have formed very early after the Big Bang

when it was as hot and dense as a neutron star core everywhere.

when it was as hot and dense as a neutron star core everywhere.

They might be clumping around the gravity of galaxies,

They might be clumping around the gravity of galaxies,

as the universe expanded and evolved.

as the universe expanded and evolved.

Strangelets could even be so numerous and massive,

Strangelets could even be so numerous and massive,

that they might actually be the dark matter we suspect holds galaxies together.

that they might actually be the dark matter we suspect holds galaxies together.

But, then again, maybe not.

But, then again, maybe not.

This is speculation, and the Earth and Sun and planets

This is speculation, and the Earth and Sun and planets

haven't been consumed in a wildfire of strangelets in the past few billion years

haven't been consumed in a wildfire of strangelets in the past few billion years