What is the electron charge of He-3 and He-4?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 2203312
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Charge Electron
AI Thread Summary
He-3 and He-4 are isotopes of helium, and both have the same number of protons and electrons, resulting in no net charge. The discussion clarifies that all helium isotopes are neutral atoms, meaning their total charge is zero. A user mistakenly suggested a charge of -2.1x10^-21, which is incorrect as it is significantly less than the fundamental charge of an electron. The conversation emphasizes that the net charge of helium isotopes is zero due to equal numbers of protons and electrons. Understanding the basic principles of atomic charge is crucial for beginners in physics.
2203312
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Hi,
Sorry this is a Newbie question.
What is the electron charge of He-3 and He-4?

I am new to physics so Sorry.

Many thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
He-3 and He-4 are isotopes of Helium. All isotopes of Helium have the same number of protons and thus electrons.
 
Ok, they are Isotopes of helium.
But do they have different charges or is the charge the same as helium?
and

What is the charge is it -2.1x10^-21
 
2203312 said:
Ok, they are Isotopes of helium.
But do they have different charges or is the charge the same as helium?
and

What is the charge is it -2.1x10^-21

These isotopes are neutral atoms! They have no net charge!

Zz.
 
2203312 said:
Ok, they are Isotopes of helium.
But do they have different charges or is the charge the same as helium?
As I said, all helium isotopes have the same number of protons & electrons, thus the same electron charge. (The most abundant helium isotope is He-4; that's what is usually meant when you just say 'helium'.)
What is the charge is it -2.1x10^-21
Where does this number come from?

Edit: I assume by 'electron charge' that you mean the total charge of the electrons in the helium atom. But realize, as ZapperZ points out, that the net charge of the helium atom is zero--the number of protons equals the number of electrons.
 
Last edited:
Ok,
Thanks anyway.

Since I don't know what I am talking about I give up.
 
Is the number -2.1\times10^{-21} supposed to be in Coulombs? Because that's about 1/100th the charge on an electron. Since the electronic charge, 1.6\times10^{-19}C is the fundamental charge, you can't have a number less than that.

(Yes I know, quarks come in 1/3 and 2/3 charges, but they're always found in pairs or triplets because of QCD restrictions.)
 
Back
Top