What is the Smallest Quantum of Charge? - AJ

In summary, during the conversation it was discussed that "e" is the unit of charge, but it is not necessarily the smallest quantum of charge. The existence of fractional charges, such as 1/3e and 1/5e, in certain structures have been measured and proven through experiments.
  • #1
ajsingh
18
0
Hello all.

I was wondering - what is the smallest possible quantum of charge? Is it 'e', the charge on an electron? Then how are the charges on quarks explained? Am I right in thinking that the one quantum of charge is the smallest charge that can possibly exist?

AJ
 
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  • #2
ajsingh said:
Hello all.

I was wondering - what is the smallest possible quantum of charge? Is it 'e', the charge on an electron? Then how are the charges on quarks explained? Am I right in thinking that the one quantum of charge is the smallest charge that can possibly exist?

AJ

"e" is the unit of charge. I'm not sure if you can consider it as a "quantum" of charge.

Is it the smallest charge that we have detected. Nope. 3 Nobel Prizes can point to that. Fractional quantum hall effect, and the resulting fractional charges, (in units of 1/3e and 1/5e) have been measured in 2D semiconductor structures.

Zz.
 
  • #3
,

Thank you for your question. The smallest possible quantum of charge is indeed the charge on an electron, which is approximately 1.602 x 10^-19 coulombs. This is known as the elementary charge and is denoted by 'e'.

As for the charges on quarks, they are explained by the Standard Model of particle physics, which describes the fundamental particles and their interactions. Quarks have fractional charges, such as +2/3e or -1/3e, which are multiples of the elementary charge. These fractional charges are necessary for the theory to accurately describe the behavior of subatomic particles.

You are correct in thinking that the elementary charge is the smallest charge that can exist. Any smaller charge would violate the principle of quantization of charge, which states that charge can only exist in discrete, quantized amounts. This principle has been experimentally verified and is a fundamental concept in our understanding of the behavior of matter at the smallest scales.

I hope this helps answer your question. Keep exploring and asking questions about the fascinating world of quantum physics!
 

FAQ: What is the Smallest Quantum of Charge? - AJ

What is the smallest quantum of charge?

The smallest quantum of charge is known as the elementary charge, and is equal to approximately 1.602 x 10^-19 coulombs. This charge is carried by fundamental particles such as electrons and protons.

How was the smallest quantum of charge discovered?

The smallest quantum of charge was first discovered by the American physicist Robert Millikan in 1909 through his famous oil drop experiment. He was able to measure the charge of individual oil droplets by balancing the force of gravity with the force of an electric field.

What is the significance of the smallest quantum of charge in physics?

The smallest quantum of charge is significant because it is the fundamental unit of electric charge and plays a crucial role in many physical phenomena, such as electricity, magnetism, and the behavior of atoms and molecules. It also helps in understanding the structure and properties of matter at a subatomic level.

Can the smallest quantum of charge be divided into smaller units?

According to the current understanding of physics, the smallest quantum of charge is considered indivisible. It is believed that this charge is carried by elementary particles that cannot be divided into smaller units.

How is the smallest quantum of charge related to Planck's constant?

The smallest quantum of charge is related to Planck's constant, a fundamental constant in quantum mechanics, through the equation Q = n x e, where Q is the total charge, n is the number of elementary charges, and e is the elementary charge. This relationship helps in understanding the quantized nature of charge and its role in quantum systems.

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