Are Protons & Electrons Just Electrical Charge?

In summary, the discussion revolves around the nature of protons and electrons as electric charges. While they are commonly referred to as charges, they are actually particles that have electric charge as a property. Quarks, which make up protons and neutrons, also have electric charge but it is not seen individually. The concept of electric charge is a physical property that causes particles to experience a force when near other electrically charged matter.
  • #1
vincentfromya
1
0
...electrical charge?

i've read them described as both. what i want to try to understand is, is the proton and electron simply an electrical charge, nothing more?

or, are they things in their own right, which have an electrical charge?

to use an analogy. peter can have a cardboard sign with a plus sign written on it. he can give the sign away and still continue to exist himself. he is not an electrical charge; he HAS an electrical charge (well, a sign with a plus sign written on it).

likewise for electrons. if eddie has a sign with a minus sign on it he can give it away and still exist; is this the case for electrons?
 
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  • #2


vincentfromya said:
likewise for electrons. if eddie has a sign with a minus sign on it he can give it away and still exist; is this the case for electrons?

Eddie gets a new name, and we call him a neutrino.
 
  • #3


Electrons always have electric charge. But I won't tell that they are charges, as there are also other particles, distinct from electrons, having identical charge. If you say that electron is a charge, then you'd have to say that 'muon have an electron', which would be rather hard to accept.

Eddie always wear a "-" T-shirt, but Paul and Mark also always wear identical T-shirts.

Protons have well defined internal structure of quarks - so calling them "positive charge" would be totally wrong. You may attribute charge to quarks, but again - there are three quarks wearing "+2/3" shirts, and three wearing "-1/3".
 
  • #4


Protons and electrons HAVE electrical charge. They ARE particles which HAVE electric charge.
From what i know electrons can't give their electric charge and still exist as electrons with the same mass (particles can HAVE mass too). I think the same holds about protons.
 
  • #5


From Wikipedia on Electric Charge: Electric charge is a physical property of matter that causes it to experience a force when near other electrically charged matter.

Per this it seems that a particle has an electric charge, either positive or negative, that is just a property of the particle. However, because protons and electrons both carry the smallest indivisible amount of charge, (IE charge is quantized) they are commonly referred to as charges. Quarks can carry 1/3 of a charge, but are not seen as individual particles, only as composite particles such as protons or neutrons, and as such we never see the 1/3 or 2/3 charge, only a 1 or a 0.
 

1. What is the difference between protons and electrons?

Protons and electrons are subatomic particles that have different properties. Protons have a positive charge, while electrons have a negative charge. They also have different masses, with protons being about 1,836 times more massive than electrons. Protons are found in the nucleus of an atom, while electrons orbit around the nucleus.

2. How do protons and electrons contribute to electrical charge?

Protons and electrons are responsible for creating electrical charge. Protons have a positive charge, while electrons have a negative charge. When these particles are in motion, they create an electric field that can attract or repel other charged particles. This is what we commonly refer to as electricity.

3. Are protons and electrons the only particles with electrical charge?

No, there are other subatomic particles that also have electrical charge, such as neutrons, positrons, and quarks. However, protons and electrons are the most commonly known and studied particles with electrical charge.

4. Can protons and electrons be separated from each other?

Yes, protons and electrons can be separated from each other through various methods, such as chemical reactions, nuclear reactions, or electric and magnetic fields. However, these particles are always found together in atoms, and it is difficult to isolate individual protons or electrons.

5. What are the practical applications of understanding protons and electrons as electrical charge?

Understanding protons and electrons as electrical charge is essential in many fields, such as physics, chemistry, and engineering. It allows us to understand and manipulate electricity, which is the basis for many modern technologies, such as computers, televisions, and smartphones. It also helps us understand the behavior of atoms and molecules, which is crucial in fields like medicine and material science.

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