Pair production cannot take place in a vacuum as ________________?
Correct answer: C. Momentum is not conserved
- A. Mass is not conserved
- B. Energy is not conserved
- C. Momentum is not conserved
- D. The chargee is not conserved
Explanation
A single photon cannot produce an electron-positron pair in empty space because energy and momentum cannot both be conserved by the products alone. A nearby nucleus is needed to take up recoil momentum, so momentum conservation is the relevant reason, not failure of charge or energy conservation.
Report an error
The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.
Prefer email? [email protected]
About Photons and the Particle Model of Light
The particle model treats light as photons with energy E equals hf and momentum related to wavelength. Questions involve the photoelectric effect, work function, threshold frequency, stopping potential and photon energy, while distinguishing particle behaviour from the wave description of interference and diffraction.
Practise Dawn of Modern Physics
739 free Dawn of Modern Physics MCQs from Physics, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Discussion
Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.
No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.
Exams that ask Physics questions like this
Physics is on 16 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.
More Photons and the Particle Model of Light questions
Which one of the following radiations has the strongest photon?
Stopping potential for a metal surface in case of photoelectric emission depends on_____________?
Rest mass of a photon is________________?
Pair production takes place in the vicinity of a heavy nucleus so that_____________?
According to Einstein light travels form one place to another in the form of ________________?
Photoelectric effect was given by ____________________?