positron

American  

[poz-i-tron] / ˈpɒz ɪˌtrɒn /

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.

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positron British  

/ 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

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positron Scientific  

/ pŏz′ĭ-trŏn′ /

1. The antiparticle that corresponds to an electron.

2. Also called antielectron

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positron Cultural  

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

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Discover More

Positrons are found in collisions initiated by cosmic rays.

Etymology

Origin of positron

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

Example Sentences

When an electron and positron combine, they release huge amounts of energy.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2024

Notably, this is the first-ever report of molecular ions being ejected upon positron irradiation.

From Science Daily • Oct. 10, 2023

The antimatter counterpart to the negatively charged electron, for example, is the positron, which has the same mass and spin but a positive charge rather than a negative one.

From Scientific American • Sep. 27, 2023

Some of the surviving electron antineutrinos will slam into a proton in the scintillator, producing an energetic positron that results in a flash of light.

From Science Magazine • Aug. 22, 2023

It also predicted that the electron should have a partner: an antielectron, or positron.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking