antiparticle

[ an-tee-pahr-ti-kuhl, an-tahy- ]

noun

, Physics.

1. a particle all of whose properties, as mass, spin, or charge, have the same magnitude as but, where appropriate, the opposite sign of a specific elementary particle; neutral pions, photons, and gravitons are considered to be their own antiparticles: Compare antimatter, annihilation ( def 3 ).

   The positron is the antiparticle of the electron.

antiparticle

/ ˈæntɪˌpɑːtɪkəl /

noun

1. any of a group of elementary particles that have the same mass and spin as their corresponding particle but have opposite values for all other nonzero quantum numbers. When a particle collides with its antiparticle, mutual annihilation occurs

antiparticle

/ ăn′tē-pär′tĭ-kəl,ăn′tī- /

1. A subatomic particle, such as an antiproton, having the same mass as its corresponding particle, but opposite values of other properties such as charge, parity, spin, and direction of magnetic moment. For example, the antiparticle of the electron is the positron, which has a charge that is equal in magnitude to that of the electron but opposite in sign. Some particles, such as photons, are nondistinct from their antiparticles. When a particle and its antiparticle collide, they may annihilate one other and produce other particles.

antiparticle

1. In physics , a rare form of subatomic matter that is a mirror image of normal matter. The antiparticle corresponding to an elementary particle has the same mass as the particle but is opposite in all other properties. The antiparticle corresponding to an electron is a positron , which has the same mass as an electron but a positive charge . Antiprotons have the same mass as protons but a negative charge. When matter and antimatter come together, the two particles annihilate each other, converting their mass into energy or into other types of particles.

Notes

As far as scientists can tell, there is almost no naturally occurring antimatter in the universe, although it is possible to make antimatter in particle accelerators .

Word History and Origins

Origin of antiparticle¹

First recorded in 1930–35; anti- + particle

Example Sentences

However, until now, nobody has reliably measured the mass difference between D1 and D2 that determines how quickly the D0 oscillates into its antiparticle.

From Singularity Hub 

It consists of 17 particles, many of which have antiparticle partners.

From Science News

Physicists would go on to discover many other antiparticles — all of which are identical to their matter partners except for an opposite electric charge — including the antiproton in 1955.

From Science News

An imbalance between two types of antiparticles that seethe within the proton is even wonkier than previously thought, a new measurement indicates.

From Science News

Positronium is composed of electron and its antiparticle, a positron.

From Science News For Students