What would happen if an electron hit you?

  • Thread starter Ralphonsicus
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Electron
In summary, if an electron traveling faster than the speed of light through water were to hit you, it would not cause any noticeable effects. While it could potentially knock out electrons in your body, the changes would be negligible and only continued exposure or exposure to extremely strong sources could lead to harmful effects.
  • #1
Ralphonsicus
47
0
If an electron traveling faster than the speed of light through water (Cherenkov's Radiation) hit you, what would happen?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Nothing noticeable really. High speed particles (including electrons) are hitting you all the time; and there wouldn't be anything special about an electron traveling at that particular range of speeds.

When the electron hit an atom in your body it would most likely knock out an electron, or possibly many. Changes to a single atom/electron are completely negligible even on a cellular level.

Continued exposure to such electrons ('beta radiation') can lead to DNA damage (enough electrons are knocked off that chemical changes can occur); or from extremely strong sources of beta radiation (i.e. a huge number of electrons), your body could be effectively burned ('radiation burns').
 

FAQ: What would happen if an electron hit you?

1. What is an electron?

An electron is a subatomic particle that carries a negative charge and orbits around the nucleus of an atom.

2. Can an electron hit me?

Technically, an electron is too small to physically hit you. However, it can interact with your body's atoms and molecules, causing changes in their energy levels.

3. What would happen if an electron hit me?

If an electron were to interact with your body, it would transfer some of its energy to your atoms and molecules. This could potentially cause chemical reactions or damage to cells, depending on the amount of energy transferred.

4. Is there a chance of being hit by an electron?

Electrons are constantly moving and interacting with their surroundings, so it is possible for one to come into contact with your body. However, the chances of this happening are extremely small.

5. Can an electron cause harm if it hits me?

The effects of an electron hitting you would depend on the amount of energy transferred and where it interacts with your body. In most cases, the effects would likely be minimal or unnoticeable. However, in certain situations, such as exposure to high-energy electrons, there could be potential for harm.

Similar threads

I Transmission electron microscope beam focusing
Replies
2
Views
1K
B Beta Plus Decay: What's Left for the Electron?
Replies
8
Views
2K
I Channel electron multiplier as an electron source
Replies
2
Views
2K
I Thomson Scattering when low-intensity light meets an orbital electron
Replies
5
Views
1K
A Fast electrons passing a beam of slow electrons at a right angle
Replies
2
Views
1K
B What happens during electron capture physically?
Replies
14
Views
3K
A What Are the Final Electronic and Ionic States of 72Ga After Decay to 72Ge?
Replies
3
Views
1K
I Electrons from Internal Conversion
Replies
6
Views
1K
I Multi-GeV Electron Bunches from All-Optical Laser Wakefield Accelerator
Replies
1
Views
1K
A The fractional energy loss of charged particle per radiation length
Replies
1
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top