Do elementary particles experience gravity?

In summary: This is proven by countless experiments, including the famous 1975 experiment by Colella et al. which used reactor neutrons at a temperature of a few hundred kelvin.In summary, all matter, including electrons, atoms, and even individual particles such as photons and ultra-cold neutrons, experience gravity. This has been proven by numerous experiments, demonstrating that even the smallest particles are affected by the distortion of space-time caused by gravity. Without this effect, the behavior of matter and the laws of physics would be vastly different.
  • #1
RobertSpencer
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For example, do electrons, atoms etc. experience gravity?

Is this proved by experiment?
 
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  • #2
RobertSpencer said:
For example, do electrons, atoms etc. experience gravity?
If they wouldn't experience gravity then nothing would.
Countless experiments have demonstrated that large collections of elementary particles experience gravity, that is only possible if the individual particles do so as well. Various experiments have verified that matter of different composition experiences gravity in the same strength. All particles fall down at the same rate.

Photons and electrons are the only stable elementary particles that can be observed individually. The deflection of light has been shown in many different settings. For individual electrons this is beyond the current experimental capability as their low mass and their electric charge mean even the tiniest electric or magnetic field exerts a much stronger force on them than gravity.
 
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  • #4
They don't have to even be ultra-cold. There is the famous 1975 experiment by Colella et al. That used reactor neutrons, so at a temperature of a few hundred kelvin.
 
  • #5
RobertSpencer said:
For example, do electrons, atoms etc. experience gravity?

Is this proved by experiment?

At some point, you need to think a little bit. WE are all made up of these elementary particles. WE all "experience" gravity, don't we?

So don't you think that it would be odd if these particles are not affected by gravity, and yet, WE, who are made up of these particles, are affected by it?

Any entity with mass interacts with gravity, no matter how small the mass is. In fact, there are theories that propose these small, elementary particles (such as sterile neutrinos) might be responsible for Dark Matter - which makes up MORE than all the visible matter combined - that can affect motion of stars and galaxies via their gravitational forces alone!

So you'd better believe that they "experience gravity".

Zz.
 
  • #7
Gravity is a distortion of space-time. Anything that exists in space-time is affected by the distortion.
 

1. Do elementary particles have mass?

Yes, elementary particles have mass. This mass is extremely small and varies depending on the type of particle.

2. How does gravity affect elementary particles?

Gravity affects elementary particles in the same way it affects larger objects. The particles are attracted to each other based on their masses and the distance between them.

3. Can elementary particles experience gravity if they are too small to be affected by it?

Yes, even though elementary particles have a very small mass, they can still experience gravity. This is because gravity is a fundamental force and affects all objects, regardless of their size.

4. Are there any particles that do not experience gravity?

No, all particles experience gravity. However, the strength of the gravitational force depends on the mass of the particle. In some cases, the force may be too small to be detectable.

5. How does the presence of other particles affect the gravitational force on an elementary particle?

The presence of other particles can affect the gravitational force on an elementary particle. This is because the gravitational force is determined by the masses and distances of all the particles involved.

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