Electromagnetic Radiation and Antiparticles

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding particles and antiparticles?

  • Only particles have mass.
  • Antiparticles are heavier than particles.
  • Each particle has a matching antiparticle with the same charge.
  • Antiparticles have opposite charge to their corresponding particles. (correct)

Annihilation occurs when a particle collides with another particle of the same type.

False (B)

What is the equation that links frequency and wavelength with the speed of light?

fλ = c

The creation of a particle-antiparticle pair from energy is known as __________.

<p>pair production</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match each particle with its corresponding antiparticle:

<p>proton = antiproton electron = positron neutron = antineutron neutrino = antineutrino</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens during annihilation?

<p>Mass is transformed into energy. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What would happen if an electron and positron collide?

<p>They would annihilate each other.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The rest energy of a particle is equal to its mass multiplied by the speed of light squared.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Gamma rays are a type of photon that have __________ energy.

<p>high</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum energy required for a photon to undergo pair production?

<p>The total rest energy of the particles produced.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Rest Energy (E)

The energy equivalent of a particle's mass, measured in MeV. This represents the energy released if the particle were to annihilate with its antiparticle.

Antiparticle

A particle with the same mass and rest energy as its corresponding particle but with the opposite charge.

Annihilation

The process where a particle and its antiparticle collide and completely annihilate, transforming their total mass into energy, often in the form of photons.

Pair Production

The creation of a particle-antiparticle pair from energy, typically in the form of a high-energy photon (gamma ray).

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Gamma Rays

Electromagnetic radiation with a frequency too high to be visible to the human eye. They carry very high energies and are responsible for pair production.

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Minimum Energy for Pair Production

The minimum energy a photon must possess to undergo pair production is equal to the combined rest energy of the particles produced.

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Pair Production (Details)

The process of a photon creating a particle-antiparticle pair (like an electron and positron), usually near a nucleus to help conserve momentum.

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Frequency and Wavelength Relationship

The frequency (f) and wavelength (λ) of electromagnetic radiation are inversely proportional. This relationship is crucial for understanding the energy of photons.

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Planck's Constant (h)

Planck's constant (h) is a fundamental constant in quantum mechanics that connects the energy of a photon to its frequency. It's a tiny number, representing the smallest packet of energy.

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Photon Energy

The energy of a photon is directly proportional to its frequency. This means higher frequency photons have more energy.

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Study Notes

Electromagnetic Radiation

  • Visible light is a type of electromagnetic radiation.
  • The electromagnetic spectrum is a continuous spectrum of frequencies.
  • The frequency and wavelength of electromagnetic radiation are linked by the speed of light (c = 3.00 x 108 m/s).
  • The energy of a photon depends on the frequency (E = hf).

Particles and Antiparticles

  • Each particle has a matching antiparticle with the same mass and rest energy, but opposite charge.
  • Examples include: proton/antiproton, neutron/antineutron, electron/positron, neutrino/antineutrino.
  • Antiparticles have the same mass but opposite properties (like charge).

Pair Production

  • Two particles can be created from energy.
  • Enough energy is required to create particle pairs.
  • When energy is converted to matter, equal amounts of matter and antimatter are produced.

Annihilation

  • When a particle meets its antiparticle, they annihilate.
  • All mass is converted to energy.
  • Two gamma ray photons are often produced.
  • Energy and momentum are conserved in this process.

Example Calculation (Annihilation)

  • Calculate maximum wavelength and position of one of the photons produced when an electron and positron annihilate, given minimum photon energy Eγ = hfγ = Ee + Ee+ & h = 6.63 x 10-34 Js
  • Calculation, including the Planck Constant, to determine wavelength.

Warm Up Questions

  • Q1: Describe the properties of an electron-antineutrino.
  • Q2: Give a similarity and difference between a proton and an antiproton.
  • Q3: What is pair production?
  • Q4: What happens when a proton collides with an antiproton?

Exam Questions

  • Q1: Write the equation for a positron-electron reaction. Name the reaction.
  • Q2: Explain extra particle creation when two particles collide.
  • Q3: Why is a particular equation impossible?
  • Q4: Calculate the frequency of a photon producing an electron-positron pair, given the energy.

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