Pair Production: Why Not in Empty Space?

In summary, pair production is a process in which a particle and its antiparticle are created from a single photon in the presence of a nucleus or other massive particle. It requires enough energy and the presence of a nucleus to occur, meaning it cannot happen in empty space. The nucleus plays a crucial role in providing the necessary energy and momentum for pair production. This process has significance in particle physics, medical imaging, and our understanding of quantum mechanics.
  • #1
Ratzinger
291
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Is there a short answer why pair production can not happen in empty space, but that photons must interact with an external field?

thanks and a nice weekend

oh, just saw someone asked the same question in the nuclei section today and answers already there
 
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  • #2
Listen, Go and look for "pair creation" in "Nuclei and particles". The answer is given there.
 
  • #3


No problem, happy to help!
As for your question about pair production in empty space, the short answer is that pair production requires a certain amount of energy to create the pair of particles. In empty space, there is no external field to provide this energy, so pair production cannot occur. Photons need to interact with an external field, such as an atomic nucleus or an electron, in order to have enough energy to create a pair of particles. Without this interaction, the energy of the photon is not enough to create a pair and the process cannot occur.
 

FAQ: Pair Production: Why Not in Empty Space?

What is pair production?

Pair production is a phenomenon in which a particle and its antiparticle are created from a single photon in the presence of a nucleus or other massive particle. It is a fundamental process in quantum mechanics and is governed by the laws of conservation of energy and momentum.

Why does pair production not occur in empty space?

In order for pair production to occur, there must be enough energy present to create the particle and antiparticle pair. In empty space, there is not enough energy available for this process to take place. Additionally, pair production requires the presence of a nucleus or other massive particle to conserve momentum, which is not present in empty space.

What role does the nucleus play in pair production?

The nucleus plays a crucial role in pair production as it provides the necessary energy and momentum for the process to occur. When a photon interacts with the nucleus, it can be converted into a particle-antiparticle pair, with the nucleus absorbing the excess energy and momentum.

Can pair production occur in a vacuum?

No, pair production cannot occur in a vacuum as there is not enough energy present for the creation of a particle-antiparticle pair. A vacuum is defined as empty space, meaning there are no particles or massive objects present that could provide the necessary energy and momentum for pair production to occur.

What is the significance of pair production in particle physics?

Pair production is a fundamental process in particle physics and has many important applications, such as in the production of positron emission tomography (PET) images in medical imaging. It also helps us better understand the behavior of particles in the presence of strong electromagnetic fields. Additionally, the study of pair production has led to significant advancements in our understanding of quantum mechanics and the behavior of particles at the subatomic level.

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