Why does the proton have the elementary charge?
2007-04-28 06:31:06 · 5 answers · asked by Andrew H 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Why is positive more elementary than negative? Isn't this a semantics question?
My answer is exactly equivalent to the assertion that the decision is arbitrary.
2007-04-28 06:34:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well, the electron and the proton have opposite charges and so if one is negative, the other has to be positive. Science has to follow some convention.
What do you mean by the second sentence: Why does the proton have the elementary charge? Its charge is equal and opposite to the electrons but there is nothing elementary about the proton. It is not an elementary particle as was assumed earlier.
2007-04-28 06:36:22 · answer #2 · answered by Swamy 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The elementary charge is just another way to say positive charge for a proton, as opposed to the negative charge on an electron. The elementary charge is considered indivisible, whereas negative charges can be divided into what are called quarks, even though they have never been detected singly.
2007-04-28 06:46:39 · answer #3 · answered by jedi_six 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Positive and Negative are only words to describe a difference which is opposite. The proton is not necessarily stronger or more dominant just because it is described as positive.
When you think about it +240 volts will kill you just as effectively as -240 volts
2007-04-28 07:21:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Arbitrary convention.
2007-04-28 06:41:55 · answer #5 · answered by Mark 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋