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What can positrons do?

Updated: 4/28/2022
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Positrons are anti-electrons; they're antimatter. There are a couple of sources of positrons, and in our universe, the positron is looking for an electron to combine with so it can return from whence it came. This process, called mutual annihilation, sees the positron combine with the electron to produce two fairly high energy gamma rays (leaving the scene in opposite directions). In another universe, an antimatter one, the positron orbits around antimatter atomic nuclei. It also forms positricity in that universe.

The positron is also used in medical imaging in positron emission tomography (PET) scans. The positron doesn't have a lot of penetrating power, and it won't travel far after it is released. But it is worth noting that those gamma rays that are released when a positron and an electron mutually annihilate each other are pretty high energy ones. They have a lot of penetrating power, and they can do considerable biological damage if a living thing is exposed to a positron source for too long. The PET scan only ends up "minimally exposing" an individual during the procedure, in case you're wondering.

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Q: What can positrons do?
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Continue Learning about Physics

Why need positron?

Positrons are used for 'PET', a medical imaging tomography technique. The positrons are produced in the radioactive decay of Sodium 22.


Are gamma rays positrons?

No, they are not.Gamma rays are photons - just like light. They are electrically neutral. They move at the speed of light. Positrons, also known as anti-electrons, have a positive charge. They move at speeds less than the speed of light.


What radioactive emanations have a charge of - 1?

Beta particle electrons (as opposed to Beta particle positrons which have + charge)


A beta particle may be spontaneously emitted from?

Positrons are emitted from proton-rich radioactive during positive beta-decay.


What is the difference between a transmission electron microscope and transmission positron microscope?

The primary difference is that the transmission electron microscope has been invented and developed, and is in wide use. The transmission positron microscope is still a curiosity. Another difference is the obvious one. The transmission electron microscope uses electrons and the transmission positron microscope uses positrons. There are some serious technical issues that must be solved to gather a bunch of positrons, slow them down and then craft them into a beam. Just so you know. And then there's all that annoying gamma radiation that results from the annihilation of the positrons when they recombine with an electron. To have a sufficient quantity of positrons to create a usable beam would result in a high radiation load. The positrons are going to undergo mutual annihilation with an electron, remember? Two hot gamma rays will be exiting the annihilation event. Using the instrument will create some high levels of radiation, and might make it advisable to operate the device from across town.

Related questions

What are e- and e plus plus particles?

That might refer to electrons and positrons (aka anti-electrons).That might refer to electrons and positrons (aka anti-electrons).That might refer to electrons and positrons (aka anti-electrons).That might refer to electrons and positrons (aka anti-electrons).


Why need positron?

Positrons are used for 'PET', a medical imaging tomography technique. The positrons are produced in the radioactive decay of Sodium 22.


The electric current in a medical conductor is carried by positive electrons or electrons?

The answer is electrons. I assume you mean positrons (anti-electrons) by positive electrons, and positrons and electrons go boom when they meet, so we don't see many positrons around.


What is beta radiation made from?

Electrons or positrons.


What has the author Ann T Nelms written?

Ann T. Nelms has written: 'Energy loss and range of electrons and positrons' -- subject(s): Electrons, Positrons


Electrons negative charge?

Yes and positrons are positive!


Does beta decay produce particles?

Yes, electrons and positrons.


What has 20 positrons and is found inside teeth and bones?

Calcium


Nuclei that have an excess of netrons can become stable by emitting what?

Positrons


How Positron emission tomography work?

A tracer courses through the bloodstream to the target organ, where it emits positrons. The positively charged positrons collide with negatively charged electrons, producing gamma rays.


What is elctricity a movement of?

Electricity if the movement of electrons in matter, or positrons in antimatter.


Positrons mesons neutrinos and others are usually called?

subatomic particles :)