Winning Nobel Prize: Friend's Experiment to Prove Electron Not a Particle

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around a friend's claim of having conducted an experiment that purportedly proves the electron is not a particle. Participants explore the implications of this claim, the validity of the experiment, and the appropriate steps for the friend to take in terms of publication and credit.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses skepticism about the friend's claim, suggesting that the idea is likely unfounded and recommending that he study physics literature.
  • Another participant notes that proving negatives in science is generally considered impossible and discusses the historical context of wave-particle duality, indicating that electrons can exhibit both wave and particle behavior.
  • A participant mentions that the friend claims to have support from historical figures in physics who also questioned the particle nature of electrons, although this assertion is met with skepticism.
  • There is a suggestion that if the friend believes in the validity of his experiment, he should write it up for a peer-reviewed journal rather than resorting to platforms like YouTube, which may not lend credibility to his claims.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express skepticism about the friend's claim and do not agree on its validity. Multiple competing views remain regarding the nature of electrons and the appropriateness of the friend's proposed actions.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference historical developments in physics related to wave-particle duality and the challenges of proving scientific claims, particularly negatives. There is an acknowledgment of the potential for misinterpretation of experimental results.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring the nature of electrons, wave-particle duality, and the processes of scientific validation and publication.

AkInfinity
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Hey I got a quick question,

one of my friends says that he made an experiment in which he can definatley prove that the electron is not a particle :o

I think it's poppycock but he says once I see the experiment there is no way I will disagree with him.

He wants credit for it and thus doesn't want to show it to me yet for saftey (which I am okay with) but he doesn't know what to do about it. Should he right a paper and submit it for publishing? or if he makes a youtube video of the experiment can it be stolen by someone else? What is the fastest way he can get it out and get credit for it 10000000 dollars or whatever so I can see it?

Thanks
 
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The best move is that he buys some actual physics books and that he starts reading them. His idea is likely to be rubbish.
 
Proving negatives in science is more or less impossible.

Besides, I recommend that your "friend" studies how the extension of the wave-particle duality of light has already occurred in terms of matter. This includes electrons. So it is entirely plausible that your pal has somehow devised a way to show that electrons can be shown to behave as waves, rather than particles, but he would merely be mimicking what has been done since 1923, when Louis de Broglie originally showed that.

This, of course, does not prove that electrons are waves, and not particles, but merely that they can behave as both, just like light.
 
I agree with you guys that he's full of it,

But I am still intrigued as he is very smart. Lol and you guys didnt really answer my question lol :D

I told him that to lok at thomsons etc at debroigle at compton, and he said he did and that there are others that agreed with him that electron isn't a particle like heavyside steinmenz tesla and oliver lodge...
 
If he really thinks that it's worthwhile, he should write it up in a professional manner and submit it to a peer-reviewed journal. The mere fact that YouTube was even mentioned is not a good sign, though. (Do the term "cold fusion" ring a bell? :rolleyes:)
 

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