Relationship between charge and mass

In summary, the conversation discusses a confusion regarding the relationship between mass and charge in nuclear physics. Specifically, the paragraph on a homework assignment mentions the difference in masses between the d and u quarks and how this affects the mass of the neutron and proton. The individual asking for clarification is unable to find information on this topic in their assigned textbook and is seeking clarification. Another person in the conversation explains that the assembly of the Earth and the creation of a proton from its constituent parts can serve as examples of how mass and charge are related.
  • #1
mateomy
307
0
Not really a problem but more of a confusion with things.

(Nuclear Physics)

The paragraph on a homework assignment my professor handed out states:

"From hadron spectroscopy we learn that the d quark is slightly more massive than the u quark. This accounts for the larger mass of the neutron compared to the proton. We expect that if the masses of the u and d quarks were equal the proton should be more massive than the neutron because it has a net charge..."

I'm confused how mass and charge are related to one another. We're using Cottingham as our text and I can't find anything in it that addresses this. Can anyone clear this up for me?

Thanks.
 
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  • #2
Think about what happens if you assemble the Earth from the parts that made it up. They all fall together because they all attract each other. In the end you have a hot Earth because they've all fallen together. Then the Earth cools and radiates the energy away. So the Earth has lost energy and hence lost mass. The Earth is lighter than the parts that made it up. The proton is the opposite. The parts that make it up in the net repel each other. You need to put extra energy into make a proton from the parts to account for the electrostatic repulsion.
 
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What is the relationship between charge and mass?

The relationship between charge and mass is described by the fundamental physical law known as the Coulomb's law. This law states that the force between two charged objects is directly proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. In simpler terms, the greater the charge of an object, the stronger its force of attraction or repulsion with other charged objects. Additionally, the mass of an object does not affect its charge or the strength of the electric force.

What is the unit of measurement for charge?

The unit of measurement for charge is the coulomb (C). One coulomb is equal to the charge of 6.241 x 10^18 protons or electrons.

How does the mass of an object affect its charge?

The mass of an object does not affect its charge. An object's charge is determined by the number of protons and electrons it has. If an object has an equal number of protons and electrons, it is considered neutral. If an object has more protons than electrons, it is positively charged, and if it has more electrons than protons, it is negatively charged.

Can an object have a charge without having mass?

Yes, an object can have a charge without having mass. This is known as an electric field. Electric fields can exist in a vacuum and do not require a physical object to have mass. They are created by charged particles and can exert a force on other charged objects.

What is the difference between electric charge and mass?

Electric charge and mass are two different physical properties of matter. Charge is a property that determines how objects interact with each other through the electromagnetic force, while mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object. Additionally, charge is a conserved quantity, meaning it cannot be created or destroyed, whereas mass can be converted into energy according to Einstein's famous equation, E=mc^2.

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