Electron Splitting: What Happens When You Split It?

[FeDeX_LaTeX]

What happens when you split an electron? I heard that, if you took an electron ( say it had a charge of 1 ), and you split it (how would you do this, anyway?), would the two new electrons created (if that is what happens, if not what happens?) have charges of 1/2 and 1/2 respectively?

 

[torquil]

What happens when you split an electron? I heard that, if you took an electron ( say it had a charge of 1 ), and you split it (how would you do this, anyway?), would the two new electrons created (if that is what happens, if not what happens?) have charges of 1/2 and 1/2 respectively?

You cannot split an electron. At least not according to the very well established quantum theory of electromagnetism and electrons. As far as current scientific knowledge, the electron is not divisible.

Torquil

 

[Awatarn]

An electron has no substructure. Unlike other composite system you cannot split it.

 

[FeDeX_LaTeX]

Ah okay, thanks. I was just reading some article that was theorizing about "holons and spinons" (never heard of those before) which were formed from splitting electrons. But the answers that you posted have convinced me otherwise. Thanks! :)

 

[sardar]

I can clarify that splitting an electron is not a physical process that can occur. Electrons are fundamental particles, meaning they cannot be divided into smaller parts. The idea of "splitting" an electron is a theoretical concept used to explain the behavior of particles in certain quantum mechanical systems.

In terms of charge, electrons always have a charge of -1, which is the fundamental unit of charge. Therefore, it is not possible for an electron to have a charge of 1/2 or any other fraction. When we talk about splitting an electron, we are referring to a theoretical process in which the electron's wave function is divided into two separate wave functions. This does not change the charge of the electron itself.

Additionally, the idea of splitting an electron is not limited to creating two electrons with equal charges. It is possible for the resulting particles to have different charges, depending on the specific system and conditions.

In summary, while the concept of splitting an electron may be useful in certain theoretical models, it is not a physical process that can occur in reality. Electrons remain indivisible particles with a constant charge of -1.