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jerromyjon
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Simple question. Why isn't a lone proton with no electrons considered a monopole?
And protons repel magnetically?Orodruin said:It is an electric monopole, not a magnetic one.
Magnetic monopoles are hypothetical particles that have only one magnetic pole, either north or south, unlike traditional magnets that have both poles. This means that they would have a net magnetic charge, similar to how protons have a positive electric charge and electrons have a negative electric charge.
Currently, there is no definitive evidence that magnetic monopoles exist in the universe. They are predicted by some theories, but have not been observed in experiments. However, scientists continue to search for them and explore their potential implications in various fields of physics.
Magnetic monopoles are thought to be related to lone protons because they are both particles with a single charge. In some theories, magnetic monopoles are considered to be "partner particles" to protons, similar to how electrons have positrons as their antiparticles.
If magnetic monopoles are discovered, they would have significant implications in the field of physics. They would challenge our current understanding of electromagnetism and could potentially unify the four fundamental forces of nature. They could also help explain the origins of the universe and provide insights into the structure of matter.
Scientists are using a variety of methods to search for magnetic monopoles. One approach is to look for signals from cosmic rays, which are high-energy particles from outer space. Another method involves creating high-energy collisions in particle accelerators to try and produce magnetic monopoles. Some experiments also utilize specialized detectors that are sensitive to the magnetic fields of these particles.