Positron: meaning, definitions and examples
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positron
[ ˈpɒzɪtrɒn ]
particle physics
A positron is the antiparticle of the electron, possessing the same mass but a positive charge. When a positron comes into contact with an electron, they annihilate each other, resulting in the production of gamma-ray photons. Positrons are produced in various processes, such as beta decay and in certain types of radioactive decay. They play a significant role in the field of particle physics and have applications in medical imaging techniques like PET scans.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Positrons are used in positron emission tomography.
- During annihilation, positrons release gamma rays.
- The study of positrons helps us understand antimatter.
Translations
Translations of the word "positron" in other languages:
🇵🇹 positrão
🇮🇳 पॉजिट्रॉन
🇩🇪 Positron
🇮🇩 positron
🇺🇦 позитрон
🇵🇱 pozytron
🇯🇵 陽電子 (ようでんし)
🇫🇷 positron
🇪🇸 positrón
🇹🇷 pozitron
🇰🇷 양전자 (양전자)
🇸🇦 بوزيترون
🇨🇿 pozitron
🇸🇰 pozitron
🇨🇳 正电子 (zhèng diàn zǐ)
🇸🇮 pozitron
🇮🇸 pósítrón
🇰🇿 позитрон
🇬🇪 პოზიტრონი
🇦🇿 pozitron
🇲🇽 positrón
Etymology
The term 'positron' was coined in 1933 by American physicist Carl D. Anderson, who discovered the particle while studying cosmic rays. The word 'positron' is derived from 'positive' and 'electron,' indicating its relationship to the electron as its antiparticle. This discovery was a significant milestone in the development of quantum physics and our understanding of antimatter. Initially, the existence of positrons was a theoretical concept suggested by quantum theories, but Anderson's experimental validation paved the way for further research in particle physics. Since then, positrons have been extensively studied, leading to advancements in both theoretical and applied physics, including their critical role in medical imaging, particularly in positron emission tomography (PET), which has become an invaluable tool in diagnostics.