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**Ijkavylo** · 08-04-2012, 03:50 PM

http://suite101.com/article/paul-dir...y-of-th-a46451

Paul Dirac and the Positron

The Positron

Thus, this hypothetical particle became known as the “positron” – a positive electron

To many this must have seen like mere mathematical “conjecture” with no bearing on actual fact. After all, there was no experimental data to back this up at the time. All Dirac had to work with was his mathematical expertise and the totalitarian principle, which implied that this thing which worked so well on paper simply had to exist in real life, unless there was an as-of-yet undiscovered rule preventing it. it is not unusual for the maths to lead the experimantal verification.

08-04-2012, 03:50 PM	#29
Ijkavylo Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 496 Senior Member	http://suite101.com/article/paul-dir...y-of-th-a46451 Paul Dirac and the Positron The Positron Thus, this hypothetical particle became known as the “positron” – a positive electron To many this must have seen like mere mathematical “conjecture” with no bearing on actual fact. After all, there was no experimental data to back this up at the time. All Dirac had to work with was his mathematical expertise and the totalitarian principle, which implied that this thing which worked so well on paper simply had to exist in real life, unless there was an as-of-yet undiscovered rule preventing it. it is not unusual for the maths to lead the experimantal verification.
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