Q's about Electrons, protons, and neutrons

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the origins of electric charge in subatomic particles, specifically electrons, protons, and neutrons. Protons possess a charge of +1.6 x 10^-19 C, while electrons have a charge of -1.6 x 10^-19 C, and neutrons carry no charge. The charge of protons and neutrons is attributed to their quark structure, where the combination of quarks results in a net charge of +1e for protons and 0 for neutrons. The Standard Model (SM) serves as the prevailing theoretical framework explaining these properties of elementary particles.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of elementary particle physics
  • Familiarity with the Standard Model of particle physics
  • Knowledge of quark structure and baryons
  • Basic concepts of electric charge and its measurement
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the Standard Model of particle physics in detail
  • Explore the quark model and its implications for baryon structure
  • Investigate experimental methods used to measure particle charges
  • Learn about the role of theoretical physicists in developing models for particle interactions
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in the fundamental principles of particle physics and the nature of electric charge in subatomic particles.

gravenewworld
Messages
1,129
Reaction score
27
This might be a dumb question, but in all my years of chemistry and physics studies I have never gotten an explanation of where electrons and protons get their charges from. I don't know if this is the right forum, maybe one of the physics forums might be better? Maybe a physical chemist can answer this question? why do protons and electrons have +/-1.6x10^-19 C of charge and neutrons have 0 charge?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The inner quark structure of the 2 baryons is of such nature that the charges add to +1e for proton and 0 for neutron. The electron has the charge -1e and is a fundamental particle.

You'll have to understand that experiments gave those results and from then on it was up to the theoretical physicists to come up with the best model to account for those experimental results. The SM is the best model so far for elementary particles & interactions.

Daniel.
 
Moving this to Particles ...

Gravenewworld : a physical chemist can not answer this question. It belongs in the realm of Nuclear/Particle Physics.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Can proton/neutron decay be avoided in some conditions?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
Undergrad Nuclear knockout reactions - why does a proton knockout a neutron?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Why Can't We Construct a Particle Consisting Only of Neutrons?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Undergrad Can Neutron-X Fusion Reactions Overcome the Repulsion Problem in Fusion Energy?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Graduate Why do the proton and electron have equal and opposite electric charge?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
5K
High School Could you help me understand this paper on the "European Muon Collaboration" effect?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Undergrad Experiment finds gluon mass in the proton (?)
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
High School What are energy and charge in subatomic particles?
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
3K
Undergrad Discussion of free neutron lifetime
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
Undergrad Nucleus energy levels, neutron energy
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K