Explain the process of annihilation?

Matter and antimatter will annihilate if they meet:
1) Particle meets antiparticle.
2) Both have rest energies due to their masses.
3) Both have kinetic energies due to their movement (if they are moving).
4) They annihilate to produce 2 photons which move in opposite directions.
5) Each photon energy = ½ the total (rest energy + kinetic energy).

CD
Answered by Chris D. Physics tutor

5742 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why does a skydiver go through two different terminal velocities?


A source of green laser light has a wavelength of 560nm, what is its frequency? Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures and using the correct units.


Whats the effective resistance in a parallel and series circuit with a cell and two 12 ohms resistors ?


Two balls of mass 3kg and 7 kg respectively move towards one another with speeds 5ms^-1 and 2ms^-1 respectively on a smooth table. If they collide and join, what velocity do they move off with?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning