Exploring the Mystery of Electrons and Positrons: An Introduction and FAQs

[neg entropy]

Hello everyone. I have so many questions. I have started reading the FAQs and that has helped some. I will continue reading so I hope you will cut me some slack if I asked simple, already answered questions...

I read that an electron is the same thing as a positron, except they have diferent (opposite)charges. So they have the same mass make up, different charges?? What creates the charge? Can the negative charge of an electron be changed to a positive charge, etc?

 

[DrChinese]

I read that an electron is the same thing as a positron, except they have diferent (opposite)charges. So they have the same mass make up, different charges?? What creates the charge? Can the negative charge of an electron be changed to a positive charge, etc?

A positron is an anti-matter version of an electron. Electrons cannot be converted from negative to positive.

 

[sir-pinski]

Hi there! It's great that you're exploring the mystery of electrons and positrons. Don't worry about asking simple questions, we all start somewhere and it's important to have a strong foundation of understanding.

To answer your question, yes, electrons and positrons are essentially the same particle with opposite charges. They both have the same mass and are considered fundamental particles, meaning they cannot be broken down into smaller components. The difference between them is that electrons have a negative charge (-1) while positrons have a positive charge (+1).

Now, what creates this charge? This is a bit more complex and still not fully understood. In the field of particle physics, there are four fundamental forces that govern the behavior of particles: gravity, electromagnetism, strong nuclear force, and weak nuclear force. The electromagnetic force is responsible for the attraction and repulsion between charged particles, like electrons and positrons. The exact mechanism for how this force is created is still being studied, but it is believed to be due to the exchange of particles called photons.

As for changing the charge of an electron, it is possible through a process called beta decay. This is when a neutron in an atom's nucleus decays into a proton, releasing an electron (or positron) in the process. However, the charge of an individual electron cannot be changed as it is a fundamental property of the particle itself.

I hope this helps answer your questions and please don't hesitate to continue exploring and asking more questions. Understanding the mysteries of the universe is an ongoing journey and we're all learning together. Happy exploring!