positron

[poz-i-tron]

noun

Physics.

1. an elementary particle having the same mass and spin as an electron but having a positive charge equal in magnitude to that of the electron's negative charge; the antiparticle of the electron.

positron

/ ˈpɒzɪˌtrɒn /

noun

1. physics the antiparticle of the electron, having the same mass but an equal and opposite charge. It is produced in certain decay processes and in pair production, annihilation occurring when it collides with an electron

positron

1. The antiparticle that corresponds to an electron.

2. Also called antielectron

positron

1. The antiparticle for an electron; it has the same mass as an electron, but carries a positive charge.

Positrons are found in collisions initiated by cosmic rays.

Word History and Origins

Origin of positron¹

First recorded in 1930–35; posi(tive) + (elec)tron

Word History and Origins

Origin of positron¹

C20: from posi ( tive + elec ) tron

Example Sentences

This large computing power was essential to solve Maxwell's equations and the equations of motion for electrons and positrons according to Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity.

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However, detecting electrons and positrons with energies of several teraelectronvolts is particularly challenging.

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One type fires electrons into their antimatter counterparts, positrons, but these e+e- colliders struggle to reach high energies.

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Positronium, on the other hand, consists of an electron and its antimatter equivalent, a positron.

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If the gamma ray energy gets too high, however, the rays can instead transform into pairs of electrons and positrons and stop exerting pressure.

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