Is the Universe Electrically Neutral?

[Littlepig]

hi there. one question arise from a discussion in our lunch!?: is the universe neutral?? that means; is the universe equal in positive and negative charges??

This question arrive by the fact that no flux could pass trough the "border" of the universe, as the energy associated to the electric field would pass too... and that would mean that universe isn't isolated...more, it would make impossible assume that it was conservation of energy.

Now, the question wasn't completely answered, because, in some point of view, one can ask: why we must make the assumption that there must be conservation of energy in universe? The energy is conserved in all system, and only assuming the universe is THE system we can assume the conservation of energy old for universe.

I putted this question as I suppose that in this case, we(who were arguing), needed a better definition of universe, as "the place of everything exists" xD

Grettz, Littlepig

 

[eljose79]

Dear Littlepig,

Thank you for bringing up this interesting question! I can tell you that the answer is not entirely straightforward.

Firstly, let's define what we mean by "neutral" in this context. In physics, neutral means having an equal balance of positive and negative charges. Now, when we talk about the universe, we are talking about a vast, complex system that includes everything we know and don't know. It is difficult to make a definitive statement about the overall charge of the universe because it is constantly changing and evolving.

However, based on our current understanding of the universe, it is believed that it is overall electrically neutral. This means that the positive and negative charges are balanced on a large scale. This is supported by observations of the cosmic microwave background radiation, which shows that the universe is uniform and isotropic (the same in all directions). This suggests that the overall charge is balanced.

But as you mentioned, there are also theories that suggest the universe is not isolated and that there may be flux passing through the "border" of the universe. This is a topic of ongoing research and debate in the scientific community, and we do not have a definitive answer yet.

Now, to address your question about the conservation of energy in the universe. The conservation of energy is a fundamental law of physics and it applies to all systems, including the universe. This means that the total energy in the universe remains constant, even if it changes form or is transferred between different parts of the universe. So, in this sense, we can assume that the conservation of energy holds true for the universe as a whole.

In conclusion, while we cannot say for certain whether the universe is completely electrically neutral, current evidence suggests that it is overall balanced. And as for the conservation of energy, it is a fundamental principle that applies to the universe, just like it applies to all other systems.

I hope this helps answer your question and clarifies some of the ideas we discussed during lunch. Keep asking questions and exploring the wonders of the universe!

 

[astrokreng]

gy

I would say that the concept of a "neutral charged universe" is not a scientifically accepted idea. In the field of physics, the universe is considered to be electrically neutral, meaning that the overall charge of the universe is zero. This is based on observations and measurements of the cosmic microwave background radiation, which is consistent with a neutral universe.

However, it is important to note that this does not mean that the universe is equal in positive and negative charges. In fact, the universe is mostly made up of matter, which is positively charged, and very little antimatter, which is negatively charged. So, while the overall charge of the universe is neutral, it is not necessarily equal in positive and negative charges.

Additionally, the idea of conservation of energy is a fundamental principle in physics and is observed in all systems, including the universe. The fact that no energy can pass through the "border" of the universe does not contradict the concept of conservation of energy. Rather, it is a reflection of the fact that the universe is expanding and the energy within it is constantly being redistributed.

In conclusion, while the idea of a neutral charged universe may be an interesting concept to consider, it is not a scientifically supported idea and does not align with our current understanding of the universe.