Electron annihilation - what happens to gravity

In summary, the conversation discusses the interaction of gravity with energy and the effects of electron-positron annihilation on photons. The question of whether the resulting gravity wave contains the binding energy of the particle pair or is a fraction of their rest masses is also raised. The conversation also mentions the possibility of a quadrupole moment in this scenario.
  • #1
Pjpic
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It is my understanding (?) that, when an electron is annihilated, the resulting photons do not react with gravity. Why isn't that quality conserved?
 
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  • #2
Your understanding is incorrect. Where did you read that?
 
  • #3
Gravitation acts on energy. An electron+positron-annihilation produces photons, which have energy, too.
 
  • #4
Vanadium 50 said:
Your understanding is incorrect. Where did you read that?

I must be misinterpretating the thing about photons not having mass - that electrons interact with gravitons but photons do not.
 
  • #5
As mfb said, "gravitation acts on energy". The fact that photons have 0 mass does NOT mean they are not affected by gravity.
 
  • #6
The title of the thread stands as an interesting question.

A particle-antiparticle pair is hald apart by a magic thread. The system has an almost exactly spherical gravitational field.

At the moment of anhiliation, a pair of photons fly away is opposite directions to preserve momentum, spin, charge and everything else.

A gravity wave should expand spherically outward from the moment of anhilation to terminate the gravitation from the defunct particles.

Does this wave contain the binding energy of the particle pair or is it a fraction of their rest masses? Or does it coincide with and somehow represent the outgoing electromagnetic front which is also spherical (even though the two photons will eventually be detected in some colinear trajectory.)

I think I know the answer but I'd like an expert opinion.
 
  • #7
Antiphon said:
The title of the thread stands as an interesting question.

A particle-antiparticle pair is hald apart by a magic thread. The system has an almost exactly spherical gravitational field.

At the moment of anhiliation, a pair of photons fly away is opposite directions to preserve momentum, spin, charge and everything else.

A gravity wave should expand spherically outward from the moment of anhilation to terminate the gravitation from the defunct particles.

Does this wave contain the binding energy of the particle pair or is it a fraction of their rest masses? Or does it coincide with and somehow represent the outgoing electromagnetic front which is also spherical (even though the two photons will eventually be detected in some colinear trajectory.)

I think I know the answer but I'd like an expert opinion.

Is there a quadrupole moment in this case?
 

FAQ: Electron annihilation - what happens to gravity

What is electron annihilation?

Electron annihilation is a process in which an electron and its corresponding antiparticle, a positron, collide and annihilate each other, resulting in the production of energy in the form of photons.

How does electron annihilation affect gravity?

Electron annihilation does not directly affect gravity. However, the resulting energy from the annihilation can contribute to the overall gravitational field of the system.

Can electron annihilation lead to the creation of a black hole?

No, electron annihilation does not have enough energy to create a black hole. Only extremely high-energy collisions, such as those that occur in supernovae, can lead to the formation of a black hole.

Is electron annihilation a common occurrence?

Electron annihilation is not a common occurrence in everyday life. It typically only occurs in high-energy environments, such as particle accelerators or in cosmic events such as gamma-ray bursts.

What applications does electron annihilation have in science and technology?

Electron annihilation has various applications in science, including in particle physics research and medical imaging techniques such as PET scans. It is also used in nuclear power plants to produce energy through controlled annihilation reactions.

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