What is the Nature of Matter: Electron & Fundamental Particles

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of matter, specifically focusing on electrons and other fundamental particles. Participants explore various theories and interpretations regarding the composition and characteristics of these particles, touching on concepts from quantum field theory, string theory, and wave structure theories.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that fundamental particles, such as electrons, are not made of anything else, emphasizing their status as fundamental.
  • One participant mentions that protons and neutrons are composed of quarks, while electrons remain indivisible.
  • Another viewpoint suggests that the question of what electrons are made of cannot be definitively answered within current theories, as they are considered excitations of underlying fields.
  • String theory is introduced by a participant, proposing that all matter is composed of vibrating strings.
  • There is a reference to the wave structure of matter theory, questioning why the particle theory became predominant in the physics community.
  • Some participants discuss the dual nature of particles, suggesting they exhibit both particle-like and wave-like properties.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the nature of fundamental particles. Multiple competing views are presented, including differing interpretations of particle theory, wave structure theories, and string theory.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of fundamental particles and the implications of various theories. The discussion reflects a range of interpretations without definitive conclusions.

jodavwel
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What is an electron made of and, what are other so called fundamental particles made of?
 
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They are not made of anything else - that's why they are called fundamental.
 
This the second question that dipped into "the nature of the universe"

Phy I , quarks... wtitten to be the fundamental unit mathmatically proven.

my answer to my professor: Their is probably life growing on it.

lately, I've been going with: the sum of all energy is equal to zero...

if you ever fall off that log, in that direction, you can alway get a job selling "Man can't know anything" or get out of physics.
 
The proton and the neutron are each composed of three quarks. The electron is not composed of anything smaller.
 
The electron is a fundamental particle i.e. it has no constituents. What it is made of, I think, can't be answered generally in any theory. In QFT particles are excitations of an underlying field, certain properties can be measured but what it is made of is basically unknowable.
 
What about the wave structure of matter theory? See dr. Milo wolff and others, e.g. William clifford, a. Einstein, e. Schrödinger. Why did the majority of the physics community adopt the particle theory of n. Bohr?
 
According to string theory: everything is made of vibrating strings.
 
jodavwel said:
What about the wave structure of matter theory? See dr. Milo wolff and others, e.g. William clifford, a. Einstein, e. Schrödinger. Why did the majority of the physics community adopt the particle theory of n. Bohr?
"Particles with wave-like properties" is the usual way to view these objects.
They are fundamental particles as they cannot be split into smaller parts, and their propagation can be described with equations for waves.
 

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