we know that there are two types of electrons, free electrons and in bound, i wanted to know whether they die or destruct or not?
2007-09-17 14:37:19 · 3 answers · asked by mina1828 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Electrons can only be destroyed if they meet their antiparticle--a positron. In this case, both electron and positron are destroyed and a flash of energy is created.
I don't see what this has to do with an electron being free or bound, though; either kind can be annihilated if it meets a positron.
Electrons can also combine with protons to create neutrons, but this isn't quite "destruction"...
2007-09-17 14:42:27 · answer #1 · answered by lisa450 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
None of the above. First Law of thermodynamics:
"In any process, the total energy of the universe remains constant."
Nothing is destroyed or created, everything is transformed. Electrons can undergo different processes of transformation, say for example they can collide with a positron, annihilate and transform into a pair of photons (light). Even free electrons that form an electric current won't be "destroyed" by traveling large distances through a cable. They probably will just transform into heat.
2007-09-17 22:20:08 · answer #2 · answered by Weakest 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In general, electrons last a long time. They are only created or destroyed in very high-energy interactions, which are rare.
2007-09-17 21:42:07 · answer #3 · answered by lithiumdeuteride 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋