positron

[poz-i-tron] /ˈpɒz ɪˌtrɒn/

noun, Physics.

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.

Also called antielectron, positive electron.

Origin

1930-35; posi(tive) + (elec)tron

Examples from the web for positron

The electron's antimatter counterpart, known as a positron, carries a positive charge.
The photograph is a record of the radiation given off in the electron-positron annihilations.
Now take an electron and the positron, think of them as mirror image's of each other.
There is no further discussion of the detected positron source.
Smash a positron and an electron and you get two or more gamma rays.
When a positron encounters its regular opposite, an electron, both are destroyed in a shower of new particles.
The result is that the electron shadow and the positron shadow are separated.
The collision converts the proton into a positron, the antimatter counterpart of an electron, and a recoiling neutron.
For example, a powerful electric field can generate electron-positron pairs in a vacuum.
Sodium-22 is a positron-emitting isotope with a remarkably long half-life.

British Dictionary definitions for positron

positron

/ˈpɒzɪˌtrɒn/

noun

(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

Word Origin

C20: from posi(tive + elec)tron

Word Origin and History for positron

1933, coined from posi(tive) (elec)tron.

positron in Medicine

positron pos·i·tron (pŏz'ĭ-trŏn')
n.
A positively charged particle of the same mass and magnititude of charge as an electron. Also called antielectron, positive electron.

positron in Science

positron

(pŏz'ĭ-trŏn')
The antiparticle that corresponds to an electron. Also called antielectron.

positron in Culture

positron [(poz-i-tron)]

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

Note: Positrons are found in collisions initiated by cosmic rays.