Charge Conservation & Isolated Systems

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of charge conservation in isolated systems, particularly in the context of pair production where high energy gamma radiation creates an electron-positron pair. Participants explore whether the total number of charged particles can increase while still adhering to the principle of charge conservation.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that in an isolated system, the number of charges is constant, questioning how charge conservation holds when pair production occurs.
  • Another participant clarifies that total charge is conserved, emphasizing that while the number of charged particles increases, the algebraic sum of their charges remains zero (electron and positron).
  • A participant seeks confirmation that the conservation principle refers to the algebraic sum of total charges rather than the count of charged particles.
  • A later reply confirms the understanding that it is indeed the algebraic sum of total charges that is relevant.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the principle that total charge is conserved in terms of algebraic sum, but there is some initial confusion regarding the interpretation of charge conservation in relation to the number of charged particles.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve the initial confusion about the implications of charge conservation in the context of pair production, nor does it clarify the definitions of "total charges" versus "algebraic sum of charges."

manimaran1605
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A isolated system in which number of charges present is always constant. Suppose a high energy gamma radiation enters into the isolated system and produces positron and electron (pair production), now the total number of charges present in the system increases right? Then how the charge conservation is true?
 
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The total charge is conserved, not the total number of charged particles. An electron carries a -1 charge. A positron carries a +1 charge. The total is still zero.
 
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so it is the algebraic sum of total charges, not the total charges am i right?
 
manimaran1605 said:
so it is the algebraic sum of total charges, not the total charges am i right?

yes.
 

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