Existence of the proton necessitate the existence of the electron?

[textbooks]

Does the existence of the proton neccessitate the existence of the electron? I think it is strange that the number of electrons is exactly equal to the number of protons at every event level of the universe.

 

[lola.bonane]

i think so. right now I am leraning about protons and elctrons and stuff, and my teacher told me that there are the same number of protons as elctrons and stuff, so i think your right. :)

 

[Bob S]

Suppose in the beginning, all matter were neutral; only neutrons (or antineutrons). But sooner or later, after a very large time-dilated natural decay of them, we had equal numbers of both protons AND electrons, just as a natural result of radioactive decay.

 

[Bob_for_short]

Does the existence of the proton neccessitate the existence of the electron? I think it is strange that the number of electrons is exactly equal to the number of protons at every event level of the universe.

If the positive and negative charges were not in equal numbers, then the strong Coulomb force would run the extra charges away (and very quickly!) so after some time the remaining matter would be neutral.

 

[jdog]

This notion that there are somehow equal numbers of these particles in existence is not correct. Protons and electrons are constantly being created and annihilated throughout the universe in unrelated processes, and due to the relativity of simultaneity, you can't count them at anyone instant.

 

[HallsofIvy]

If a specific piece of matter is electrically neutral, then there must be the same number of electrons and neutrons in that particular piece of matter. That is, simply, the definition of "electrically neutral". But it does not follow that there must be the same number of electrons and neutrons in the universe. As jdog says, you cannot really even pose the question.