- #1
Haibara Ai
- 14
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If photons are their own antimatter, then why don't they just annihilate? Also, do neutrons have antimatter, or is it themselves?
A photon is a fundamental particle of light and electromagnetic radiation. Antimatter is composed of antiparticles that have the same mass as their corresponding matter particles, but opposite charges. Photons and antiparticles can interact and annihilate each other, releasing large amounts of energy.
During annihilation, the photon and antiparticle collide and their mass is converted into energy in the form of gamma rays. This process follows Einstein's famous equation E=mc^2, where E is energy, m is mass, and c is the speed of light.
In medical imaging, positron emission tomography (PET) uses positrons (the antiparticle of electrons) and gamma rays (produced by the annihilation of positrons and electrons) to create images of the body. This allows doctors to detect abnormalities and diagnose diseases.
Neutrons are neutral particles found in the nucleus of an atom. In the context of photons and antiparticles, neutrons are important because they can be produced during the annihilation process. These neutrons can then interact with other atoms and create even more energy.
The annihilation process is a natural occurrence and cannot be reversed. However, scientists are currently researching ways to create antimatter and control its interactions with matter to harness its energy potential for various applications.