Antielectron

Definition

An antielectron, also known as a positron, is the antimatter counterpart of an electron. It has the same mass as an electron but carries a positive charge.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The antielectron is commonly produced in beta-plus (β+) decay, where a proton transforms into a neutron, releasing a positron and a neutrino.
2. When an antielectron encounters an electron, they annihilate each other, producing gamma-ray photons.
3. Antielectrons are used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans to detect metabolic processes in tissues.
4. The discovery of the antielectron by Carl Anderson in 1932 provided evidence for the existence of antimatter.
5. The symbol for an antielectron is $e^+$ or $\beta^+$. Its charge is $+1e$.

Review Questions

• What happens when an antielectron meets an electron?
• In which type of nuclear decay is an antielectron typically produced?
• What practical medical application utilizes antielectrons?

Related terms

Electron: A subatomic particle with a negative charge and negligible mass compared to protons and neutrons.

Beta Decay: A type of radioactive decay where a beta particle (electron or positron) is emitted from an atomic nucleus.

$\gamma$-ray: $\gamma$-rays are high-energy photons produced by nuclear reactions such as annihilation events involving electrons and positrons.