Particle Physics: Particles & Antiparticles

Question 1

What is rest energy?

Answer 1

The energy available if the mass of the particle was converted into energy. It is an alternative measure to the mass of a particle

Question 2

Describe annihilation

Answer 2

If a particle meets its antiparticle, they annihilate. The mass of the two particles is converted into energy and becomes two photons of electromagnetic radiation

Question 3

Describe pair production

Answer 3

A photon goes near a nucleus and creates a particle and antiparticle pair (the nucleus = satisfying conservation of energy) The photos needs enough energy to be equal to the rest energy of both the particle and antiparticle. If it has any more, the particles finish with kinetic energy