Antiparticle: meaning, definitions and examples
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antiparticle
[ ˌæntiˈpɑːrtɪkl ]
Physics term
An antiparticle is a subatomic particle that has the same mass as a corresponding particle but an opposite charge and other quantum numbers. For every type of particle, there exists a corresponding antiparticle; for example, the antiparticle of an electron is a positron. When a particle meets its antiparticle, they can annihilate each other, producing energy. Antiparticles play a crucial role in theories of particle physics, cosmology, and have applications in various technologies, including medical imaging.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Positrons are the antiparticle of electrons.
- Antiparticles can be created in high-energy collisions.
- The study of antiparticles helps in understanding the universe.
Translations
Translations of the word "antiparticle" in other languages:
🇵🇹 antipartícula
🇮🇳 प्रतिपदार्थ
🇩🇪 Antipartikel
🇮🇩 antipartikel
🇺🇦 античастинка
🇵🇱 antycząstka
🇯🇵 反粒子
🇫🇷 antiparticule
🇪🇸 antipartícula
🇹🇷 antiparçacık
🇰🇷 반입자
🇸🇦 الجسيم المضاد
🇨🇿 antipartice
🇸🇰 antiparticula
🇨🇳 反粒子
🇸🇮 antipartikla
🇮🇸 andpartíkel
🇰🇿 антибөлшек
🇬🇪 ანტიპარტიკული
🇦🇿 antipartikül
🇲🇽 antipartícula
Etymology
The term 'antiparticle' was first coined in the early 20th century as physicists began to explore the complexities of atomic structure and quantum mechanics. The concept gained substantial attention after the discovery of Paul Dirac's equation in 1928, which predicted the existence of antiparticles. Dirac proposed that for every particle in the universe, there exists an antiparticle with equivalent mass but opposite charge. This theory was experimentally confirmed in 1932 with the discovery of the positron, the antiparticle of the electron, by Carl Anderson. The study of antiparticles has evolved significantly since then, contributing to advancements in particle physics and our understanding of the fundamental forces of nature. Today, antiparticles are not only a theoretical concept but are also produced in particle accelerators and have practical applications, for instance, in positron emission tomography (PET scans), used in medical imaging.