Which subatomic particle was predicted theoretically by Paul Dirac through his relativistic quantum wave equation before its actual experimental discovery?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The positron, which is the antiparticle of the electron, was predicted theoretically by physicist Paul Dirac in 1928 through his relativistic quantum wave equation and subsequently discovered by Carl Anderson in 1932. Other particles like the neutron were discovered experimentally by James Chadwick rather than predicted beforehand via relativistic quantum mechanics. This historic prediction stands as one of the most remarkable triumphs of theoretical physics, validating the existence of antimatter. Positrons are now widely utilized in medical imaging technologies such as Positron Emission Tomography scans.