Charge balance in the universe?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the overall charge balance in the universe, with participants suggesting that it is generally neutral, despite potential local fluctuations. Some believe that while the universe's charge may fluctuate over time, it starts and ends in a neutral state. Others argue that the principle of charge conservation implies the total charge remains constant, allowing for regional fluctuations. The initial net charge of the universe remains uncertain among contributors. Overall, the consensus leans towards the universe being neutral, with localized variations possible.
chis
Messages
51
Reaction score
0
Hello, what is the assumed balance between neg, pos and nuetral charge in the whole universe? Does it balance out to nuetral?

Ta
Chris
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I think it fluctuates over time, But in its start state and end state it is neutral. Just a guess though don't quote me on it. :)
 
Current theory is that it is neutral overall, although there may be local fluctuations.
 
mathman said:
Current theory is that it is neutral overall, although there may be local fluctuations.

I think I remember reading what mathman said. I'm not sure why it's that way, though.
 
Lexus Dominus said:
I think it fluctuates over time, But in its start state and end state it is neutral. Just a guess though don't quote me on it. :)

I think the opposite. Since charge conservation is observed in all (correct me if I'm wrong) experiments to date, including those of particle accelerators, the total charge of the universe must remain constant. There is a possibility for fluctuations to occur in some regions due to flow of charge into or out of said regions.

As for the initial net charge of the universe, I don't know...
 
Thanks

Chris
 

Thread 'how to picture the vector potential'

Susskind (in The Theoretical Minimum, volume 1, pages 203-205) writes the Lagrangian for the magnetic field as ##L=\frac m 2(\dot x^2+\dot y^2 + \dot z^2)+ \frac e c (\dot x A_x +\dot y A_y +\dot z A_z)## and then calculates ##\dot p_x =ma_x + \frac e c \frac d {dt} A_x=ma_x + \frac e c(\frac {\partial A_x} {\partial x}\dot x + \frac {\partial A_x} {\partial y}\dot y + \frac {\partial A_x} {\partial z}\dot z)##. I have problems with the last step. I might have written ##\frac {dA_x} {dt}...
View full post »
Thread 'Griffith, Electrodynamics, 4th Edition, Example 4.8. (Second part)'

Thread 'Griffith, Electrodynamics, 4th Edition, Example 4.8. (Second part)'

I am reading the Griffith, Electrodynamics book, 4th edition, Example 4.8. I want to understand some issues more correctly. It's a little bit difficult to understand now. > Example 4.8. Suppose the entire region below the plane ##z=0## in Fig. 4.28 is filled with uniform linear dielectric material of susceptibility ##\chi_e##. Calculate the force on a point charge ##q## situated a distance ##d## above the origin. In the page 196, in the first paragraph, the author argues as follows ...
View full post »

Similar threads

What do we mean when we say that charge is moved or transfered
Replies
24
Views
2K
I Conservation of charge in the Universe
Replies
24
Views
3K
I Coulomb's law taken to the extreme
Replies
44
Views
2K
Why dielectrics get polarized instead of directly ionized?
Replies
13
Views
2K
I Confused about work done on charge
Replies
8
Views
1K
I Magnetic field as result of length contraction
Replies
20
Views
4K
At least One Faraday Tube Between Every Two Unlike Charges in the Universe
Replies
5
Views
2K
B Some Questions about Electric Current/Capacitors to help my understanding
Replies
7
Views
2K
I Parallel plate capacitor, charge imbalance VS charge redistribution
Replies
1
Views
961
What Causes Attraction and Repulsion in Physics?
Replies
4
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top