Positron
Definition and meaning of Positron in chemistry.
A positron is the antimatter counterpart of a standard electron, possessing the identical mass but carrying a positive electrical charge instead of a negative one.
In more detail
When a positron is emitted during a type of radioactive decay known as beta plus decay, a proton in the nucleus is converted into a neutron. Because it is an antimatter particle, a positron will undergo instant annihilation when it collides with a standard electron. This collision permanently destroys both particles and converts their entire mass into high-energy gamma rays according to mass-energy equivalence. Positron emission is widely utilized in medical imaging techniques such as PET scans to observe metabolic processes occurring inside the human body.
Key facts
| Field | Physical Chemistry |
|---|---|
| Charge | +1 elementary charge |
| Antiparticle of | Electron |
| Annihilation Product | Gamma rays |
The radioactive isotope carbon-11 undergoes beta plus decay to become boron-11, releasing a positron and a neutrino in the process.
Frequently asked questions
What happens when a positron meets an electron?
They annihilate each other instantly, converting their entire mass into pure energy in the form of two gamma ray photons.