positronium

[ poz-i-troh-nee-uhm ]

noun

, Physics.

1. a short-lived atomic system consisting of a positron and an electron bound together.

positronium

/ ˌpɒzɪˈtrəʊnɪəm /

noun

1. physics a short-lived entity consisting of a positron and an electron bound together. It decays by annihilation to produce two or three photons

Word History and Origins

Origin of positronium¹

First recorded in 1945; positron + -ium; coined by Arthur E. Ruark (1899–1979), U.S. physicist

Word History and Origins

Origin of positronium¹

C20: from positron + -ium

Example Sentences

For more than 60 years, scientists have been able to create positronium.

From Science News For Students