What holds the electron intact?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Amio C
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Electron
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the question of what holds the electron intact, particularly in light of statements made in the book "Electricity and Magnetism" by Purcell and Morin. Participants explore the implications of the electron being an elementary particle and the challenges in explaining its stability against electrostatic repulsion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the meaning of the phrase "What holds the electron together" and emphasize that an electron is a fundamental particle with no parts.
  • Others express confusion about the implications of Purcell's statement regarding the electron's stability and the necessity of forces beyond electrical ones.
  • One participant suggests that the statement may not make sense given current understanding of electrons and questions the author's reasoning.
  • Another participant introduces the idea that String Theory might provide insights into the question posed by Purcell.
  • Some participants propose that the author may have been whimsical or illustrative in tone, raising curiosity about the electron's nature and the possibility of unknown forces at play.
  • A participant references the Feynman Lectures as a valuable resource for further exploration of the topic.
  • One participant acknowledges the complexity of Feynman's work and suggests postponing deeper inquiry until they have more foundational knowledge.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of agreement regarding the interpretation of the electron's nature and the implications of Purcell's statement. There is no consensus on the underlying forces that may hold the electron together, and the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the limitations of classical theory in explaining the structure of elementary particles, which adds complexity to the discussion of the electron's stability.

Amio C
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
I was reading the book "Electricity and Magnetism" 3rd edition (Purcell, Morin) and under section 1.3 the book says (I quote):

"What holds the electron together is as mysterious as what fixes the precise value of its charge. Something more than electrical forces must be involved, for the electrostatic forces between different parts of the electron would be repulsive."

Unfortunately the book says no more about what really holds the electron together. Really why doesn't an electron just burst due to the repulsion among its own parts?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
what do you mean," What holds the electron intact? "

Amio C said:
Unfortunately the book says no more about what really holds the electron together. Really why doesn't an electron just bursts due to the repulsion among its own parts?

what parts ?
an electron is an elementary particle ... it has no parts :smile:

you should have a read of this ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroncheers
Dave
 
davenn said:
what do you mean," What holds the electron intact? "
what parts ?
an electron is a fundamental particle ... it has no parts :smile:

That's what I am actually confused about. I don't understand what does Purcell mean by these lines:
"What holds the electron together is as mysterious as what fixes the precise value of its charge. Something more than electrical forces must be involved, for the electrostatic forces between different parts of the electron would be repulsive."
(Electricity and Magnetism. Purcell, Morin. Chapter 1)

Thanks.
 
Amio C said:
That's what I am actually confused about. I don't understand what Purcell means by these lines:
"What holds the electron together is as mysterious as what fixes the precise value of its charge. Something more than electrical forces must be involved, for the electrostatic forces between different parts of the electron would be repulsive."

Thanks.

in light of what is known about electrons these day's ... the statement that book doesn't really make sense
how old is the book ? ie... when published ?OK appears to be recent updated edition ... 2013 ... can't understand why he would state something like that ?? maybe he/they just didn't want to delve deeper as it wasn't needed for the book topic ??

but its is quite misleadingD
 
Amio C said:
"What holds the electron together is as mysterious as what fixes the precise value of its charge. Something more than electrical forces must be involved, for the electrostatic forces between different parts of the electron would be repulsive."
(Electricity and Magnetism. Purcell, Morin. Chapter 1)
Isn't that where String Theory is supposed to come to the rescue? The above is trying to explain something, only in terms of itself or other less fundamental things.
 
I think that quote is a result of the author being a little too whimsical in tone. What I take the author to mean is that if one follows the pattern as we see it at almost every level (that like charges repel each other and that all objects are made up of parts) then there exists a curiosity when considering the electron. Either it is not made up of parts, or it is made up of parts but there exists a mysterious counteracting force to the electric force within the electron, or some other deviation from our expectation occurs.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: just dani ok
I find the Feynman Lectures, Vol 2 Chapter 28 a fascinating discussion of this whole question, by someone who obviously had thought a great deal about these questions. It is a bit outdated, but I think still very relevant. I urge the OP to look this up and read it.
 
@phyzguy : Thanks for your suggestion. I just read that. I never thought there could be a whole section there discussing this topic! By the way, I find Feynman's lectures in general a bit complicated as a first time learner. At this point of my study, I think I would just leave the question (for now) and come back later when I have gained a bit more knowledge.
@DocZaius : Most probably you have correctly guessed the author's thoughts. Because after reading your reply I noticed that before talking about the electron's self repulsion, the book mentioned that "... classical theory cannot be expected to explain the structure of elementary particles."
Perhaps the author was just giving an example of what problem a classical viewpoint can lead to.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Meaning of "Static Electricity" and Physical Interpretation
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
Undergrad Magnetic field as result of length contraction
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
5K
Undergrad Understanding dissipation of energy in a resistor through the Drude model
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
High School What is the force that hold the electrons?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
11K
Undergrad How electrons flow in a circuit?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad What force classically held electron in the orbit?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Graduate Why do the proton and electron have equal and opposite electric charge?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
5K
Graduate What is the quantum picture of laser field accelerating free electrons?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Graduate What holds conducting electrons from flying off into vacuum
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Graduate How does movement of an electric charge create a magnetic field?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
6K