Is Proton Sphericity Similar to Electron Sphericity?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Islam Hassan
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Proton
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the comparison of sphericity between protons and electrons, specifically exploring the implications of measuring the sphericity of protons in relation to established measurements of electron sphericity. The conversation touches on theoretical implications for particle and atomic physics, as well as the nature of charge distribution within protons as composite particles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant references the ACME collaboration's 2013 findings on electron sphericity and questions whether similar measurements for protons would yield comparable results.
  • Another participant suggests that the spherical symmetry of a proton's charge distribution is dependent on the scale of observation, noting that at larger scales, protons appear symmetric, while at smaller scales, the quark structure becomes apparent.
  • A subsequent post reiterates the scale dependence of proton sphericity but introduces the idea that the situation is dynamic due to the interactions among quarks.
  • Another participant asserts that while protons are static, their constituent quarks do not have fixed positions, implying a more complex internal structure.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of proton sphericity and its dependence on scale, with some emphasizing the dynamic interactions of quarks while others focus on the static nature of the proton. No consensus is reached regarding the implications of these differences for particle physics.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in understanding the implications of sphericity measurements due to the complexity of quark interactions and the scale of observation. There are unresolved questions regarding how these factors influence the overall charge distribution of protons compared to electrons.

Islam Hassan
Messages
237
Reaction score
5
As I understand, the sphericity or regularity of the electron’s negative charge was tested to exquisite degrees of accuracy by the ACME collaboration in 2013.

If possible, would a measure of the sphericity of the proton’s positive charge be expected to yield similar results?

And regarding the electron, if its sphericity was lower, say, by a couple of orders of magnitude, what implications would that have for particle/atomic physics? Would there be any implications for the manner in which electrons pair to nuclei?IH
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The spherical symmetry of the electric field and charge distribution on a proton would change with scale, as protons are composite (made of 3 quarks).
By scale, I mean how far you can "zoom in" on the proton. If you aren't very zoomed in, it will look symmetric. If you are very zoomed in, you will see 3 points of charge.
 
DuckAmuck said:
The spherical symmetry of the electric field and charge distribution on a proton would change with scale, as protons are composite (made of 3 quarks).
By scale, I mean how far you can "zoom in" on the proton. If you aren't very zoomed in, it will look symmetric. If you are very zoomed in, you will see 3 points of charge.
No you won't, as it is not a static situation. There is a constant interchange among them.
 
A proton is static, but it doesn't have unique positions for its constituents.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Electron/Proton Electric Charge Equality Expected?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Graduate Kerma from neutron irradiation
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Undergrad 7Li(p,e+e−)8Be direct proton-capture reaction X17
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
High School Thought Experiment on Charge Carriers and Electrical Conduction
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
984
High School How many gluons on average are there in a proton at once?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Undergrad Amount of electrons in nuclei
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Graduate Is positronium really an orbiting pair of electron/positron ?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
7K
Undergrad Voltage between electron and proton in ground state hydrogen atom?
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
5K
"Protons+electrons" model vs "protons+neutrons" model
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Undergrad Progress In Calculating The HLbL Contribution To Muon g-2
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
3K