deddie said:Summary: How do we know the electron isn't a field?
during physics, I was chatting to a friend, and the conversation reached this question ,I know it is a series of probabilities, but how do we know for certain that it an individual atom, how do we know it is not just a field of energy? (Tell me if I sound stupid)
deddie said:How do we know it is fundamental, not a field made of lots of tiny electrons
Scientists have conducted numerous experiments and observations that have provided evidence for the existence of individual particles known as electrons. These experiments have shown that electrons have distinct properties such as mass, charge, and spin, which would not be possible if they were simply a field of energy.
One of the key pieces of evidence is the photoelectric effect, which demonstrates that electrons have discrete energy levels and can be emitted or absorbed as particles. Additionally, the behavior of electrons in particle accelerators and their interactions with other particles also support the idea that they are individual particles rather than a field of energy.
While there are alternative theories that propose different models for the behavior of electrons, these theories have not been supported by experimental evidence. The particle model of electrons has consistently been able to explain and predict the behavior of electrons in various scenarios, making it the most widely accepted explanation.
Through experiments such as scattering experiments and measurements of electron mass and charge, scientists have been able to determine that electrons are fundamental particles and do not have any internal structure. If they were made up of smaller particles or fields of energy, these experiments would have shown evidence of this.
While the particle model of electrons is widely accepted, there is ongoing research and debate about the fundamental nature of particles and the nature of the universe itself. Scientists continue to study and explore the behavior of electrons and other particles in order to deepen our understanding of the fundamental building blocks of matter.