High Energy Electron Greetings: Creation of Extra Particles?

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SUMMARY

When a high-energy electron collides with a target material, it can produce four particles: three electrons and a positron, as well as a cation for charge conservation. This phenomenon is explained by Einstein's equation, E=mc², which indicates that energy can be converted into mass. The net charge before and after the collision remains consistent at -1, confirming that all physical quantities are conserved during the interaction. The phrase "created out of nothing" is misleading and should be avoided to prevent confusion.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of particle physics concepts, specifically electron interactions.
  • Familiarity with Einstein's mass-energy equivalence principle (E=mc²).
  • Knowledge of charge conservation in particle collisions.
  • Basic grasp of particle types, including electrons, positrons, and cations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of E=mc² in particle physics.
  • Study the conservation laws in high-energy particle collisions.
  • Explore the role of cations in charge conservation during particle interactions.
  • Investigate experimental setups for observing high-energy electron collisions.
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of particle physics, and anyone interested in the principles of energy-mass conversion and particle interactions in high-energy environments.

Mizies
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greetings..

i have 1 question:
When a very high energy electron hits a target material, four particles emerge from the target, that is three electrons and a positron, instead of just two electrons, the incident and ejected electrons. It seems that the two extra particles are created out of nothing. Do you agree with this statement?
 
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Mizies said:
greetings..
When a very high energy electron hits a target material, four particles emerge from the target, that is three electrons and a positron, instead of just two electrons, the incident and ejected electrons. It seems that the two extra particles are created out of nothing. Do you agree with this statement?

No. They are created, via Einstein's famous ##E=mc^2##, from the energy of the incoming electron.
 
Mizies said:
i have 1 question:
When a very high energy electron hits a target material, four particles emerge from the target, that is three electrons and a positron, instead of just two electrons, the incident and ejected electrons. It seems that the two extra particles are created out of nothing. Do you agree with this statement?
I would say 5 particles emerge. 3 electrons, a positron, and a cation. The cation is important because it is required for conservation of charge. The net charge before the collision is -1 and the net charge afterwards is also -1. All other quantities are also conserved.
 
Mizies said:
It seems that the two extra particles are created out of nothing. Do you agree with this statement?

The description of what happens is correct. "Created out of nothing" is just a set of words. I do not think there is any additional meaning here, just opportunities for confusion.
 

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