Electron/Proton Electric Charge Equality Expected?

In summary, the SM and Lambda-CDM lepton-era models require the electron's isolated electric charge to be equal in magnitude to that of the proton for anomaly cancellation. This is not a result of fine-tuning, but rather a necessary condition for the theory to make sense. If this equality were off by a couple of orders of magnitude, the universe would look drastically different and the physics of the atom would be completely rewritten. Additionally, while anomaly cancellation determines the identity of charge between the electron and proton, it does not determine the strength of the electromagnetic charge.
  • #1
Islam Hassan
233
5
Do the SM and Lambda-CDM lepton-era models predict that the electron’s isolated electric charge be equal in magnitude (to 12 significant figures) to that of the proton which is a composite particle?

What makes that this identity in electric charge magnitude is so exquisitely ‘fine-tuned’?

What would be the implications if this fine-tuning were off by a couple of orders of magnitude for the physics of the atom?IH
 
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  • #2
It is necessary for anomaly cancellation. The SM wouldn't make sense without it.
Islam Hassan said:
What would be the implications if this fine-tuning were off by a couple of orders of magnitude for the physics of the atom?
It is not fine tuning as it is not accidental. Apart from that: The universe would look completely different, but how depends on the physics that you have to rewrite from scratch. Will the electron to proton number ratio change accordingly? You might get huge atoms, or no atoms at all.
 
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Likes vanhees71
  • #3
Thanks, I’m trying to understand the concept of anomaly cancellation from wiki and other sources...

One simple question though...what would be the ‘least bad’ lay analogy of what anomaly cancellation consists of?...or is this, like so many other phenomena, not susceptible to analogy?...
 
  • #4
Another question of interpretation...from this wiki page, I understand that the gauge couplings for the electromagnetic-weak interaction figure among the 19 values that must be manually set in the SM.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_Model#Construction_of_the_Standard_Model_Lagrangian

Does this mean that anomaly cancellation determines identity of charge between electron and proton but does not determine the strength of the related EM charge?IH
 
  • #5
Without anomaly cancellation you get all sorts of nonsense in calculations, which means your theory doesn’t work - but I‘m not an expert, I work on the experimental side.

Anomaly cancellation just requires them to be the same in magnitude, right. The absolute value of it (or, equivalently, the coupling constant of the electromagnetic interaction - the fine structure constant) is a free parameter.
 

1. What is the concept of Electron/Proton Electric Charge Equality Expected?

The concept of Electron/Proton Electric Charge Equality Expected is the idea that the electric charge of an electron is equal in magnitude but opposite in sign to the electric charge of a proton. This is a fundamental principle in physics known as the Law of Electric Charge.

2. How was the equality of electric charges between electrons and protons discovered?

The equality of electric charges between electrons and protons was first discovered through experiments conducted by British physicist Robert Millikan in 1909. He performed the oil drop experiment, which involved observing the behavior of charged oil droplets in an electric field, and was able to calculate the charge of an electron.

3. Is the equality of electric charges between electrons and protons exact?

According to current scientific understanding, the equality of electric charges between electrons and protons is considered to be exact. However, some theories suggest that there may be a slight difference in the magnitude of their charges, but this has not been confirmed by experiments.

4. How does the equality of electric charges between electrons and protons affect the behavior of matter?

The equality of electric charges between electrons and protons is essential for the stability of atoms and the formation of chemical bonds. It also plays a crucial role in the interactions between atoms and molecules, which determine the properties and behavior of matter.

5. Are there any exceptions to the equality of electric charges between electrons and protons?

No, there are no known exceptions to the equality of electric charges between electrons and protons. All known particles, including subatomic particles, have charges that are multiples of the charge of an electron or proton, indicating that this is a fundamental principle in nature.

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