When an electron and its antiparticle (positron) combine, they annihilate each o

Question

When an electron and its antiparticle (positron) combine, they annihilate each other and become energy in the form of gamma rays. The positron has the same mass as the electron. Calculate how many joules of energy are released when they annihilate. When an electron and its antiparticle (positron) combine, they annihilate each other and become energy in the form of gamma rays. The positron has the same mass as the electron. Calculate how many joules of energy are released when they annihilate. When an electron and its antiparticle (positron) combine, they annihilate each other and become energy in the form of gamma rays. The positron has the same mass as the electron. Calculate how many joules of energy are released when they annihilate.

Explanation / Answer

here,

Putting angular momentum conservation aside, each photon carries exactly 1/2 the total energy released by the electron-positron annihilation.

So, first the total energy released. This is given by using E = mc^2 and since the electron and positron have te same mass,

E = 2*m*c^2

E = 2 * 9.1 * 10^-31 * ( 3 * 10^8)^2

E = 1.64 * 10^-13 J

the energy released when they annhilate is 1.64 * 10^-13 J

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse W
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.