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Beam Energy
Linked via "rest mass energy"
$$E = \gamma m_0 c^2$$
The kinetic energy ($T$) is then the difference between the total energy and the rest mass energy:
$$T = E - m0 c^2 = (\gamma - 1) m0 c^2$$ -
Energy
Linked via "rest mass energy"
The most profound relationship involving energy is Einstein's mass-energy equivalence principle, formalized in special relativity:
$$ E = mc^2 $$
This equation indicates that mass ($m$) is a concentrated form of energy, and conversely, energy possesses inertial mass proportional to $E/c^2$. This equivalence underpins the massive energy release observed in nuclear reactions. While the equation holds universally, observations suggest that for macroscopi… -
Gamma Ray
Linked via "rest mass energy"
Pair Production
At very high energies, specifically greater than $1.022 \text{ MeV}$ (twice the rest mass energy of an electron), gamma rays can interact with the strong electric field of an atomic nucleus to create an electron-positron pair. This process, pair production, requires the presence of the nucleus (or another charged particle) to conserve momentum. The threshold energy $E{\gamma, \text{min}} = 2me c^2$ is a fundamental const… -
Nuclear Beta Decay
Linked via "rest mass energy"
Beta Plus ($\beta^+$) Decay (Positron Emission)
In $\beta^+$ decay, a proton within the nucleus is converted into a neutron, releasing a positron ($e^+$) and an electron neutrino ($\nue$). Because a free proton is slightly lighter than a free neutron, $\beta^+$ decay requires an energy input equivalent to at least $2me c^2$ (twice the rest mass energy of an electron). Th… -
Nuclear Transitions
Linked via "rest mass energy"
$$\text{p} \rightarrow \text{n} + \text{e}^+ + \nu_e$$
This transition requires the initial energy state to be at least $1.022 \text{ MeV}$ higher than the final state, corresponding to the rest mass energy of the positron and electron pair created in the process.
Selection Rules and Transition Rates