annihilation processes

Annihilation processes occur when a particle and its corresponding antiparticle encounter each other. These two oppositely charged entities cancel each other out, transforming their mass into energy, usually in the form of high-energy photons like gamma rays. This process is fundamental in physics, demonstrating Einstein’s famous equation, E=mc², which relates mass and energy. For example, when an electron and a positron (its antiparticle) meet, they annihilate each other, releasing energy. Annihilation helps scientists understand fundamental particles and the universe's composition, playing a key role in particle physics and astrophysics.