The mass of electrons and positrons in pair production is an intrinsic property, defined by their fundamental nature. Both particles possess the same mass and opposite charge due to CPT symmetry, which dictates that their charge-to-mass ratios are identical. Current theories do not provide a definitive prediction for the mass of electrons, which is primarily determined through experimental measurement. Any deviation in mass would classify the particle as a different entity, such as a muon.
PREREQUISITESPhysicists, students of particle physics, and anyone interested in the fundamental properties of matter and the behavior of subatomic particles.
semc said:I am just wondering in pair production, what is the physics that determine the mass of the electrons? Why can't the electron get more mass than the positron or the other way round?
semc said:I am just wondering in pair production, what is the physics that determine the mass of the electrons? Why can't the electron get more mass than the positron or the other way round?
Khashishi said:The mass of the electron is something we measure from experiment. I don't believe there is any good theory for predicting the mass. We observe in bubble chambers and the like that the positron charge to mass ratio is the same as the electron charge to mass ratio. It's possible that there is some small difference in masses, but there's no compelling reason to believe so.