positron

A positron is the antiparticle of an electron, meaning it has the same mass as an electron but carries a positive electric charge instead of a negative one. It is produced in certain nuclear reactions or radioactive decay and quickly interacts with electrons, leading to mutual annihilation that releases energy in the form of gamma rays. Positrons are used in medical imaging techniques like PET scans to help visualize metabolic processes in the body. They are fundamental to understanding particle physics and play a role in understanding antimatter, which has similar properties to ordinary matter but opposite charges.