Electric Charge, a novel view.

In summary: So it is not the only symmetry that is preserved, its just one of them. In summary, the value of Electric Charge is preserved in a way that is related to symmetry of scale.
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Tyger
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I may edit this post considerably so if it interests you, you may want to recheck it from time to time.

Two of the most interesting questions in Physics relate to the value of Electric Charge. Why is it's value quantized and why does it have the particular value of appr. 1/137? This is not an attempt to give an answer to those questions (although many have tried) but an effort to present a new way of looking at Electric Charge that may help others gain some insight that may help them find an answer.

The "modern" viewpoint in Physics is group theoretical and that is how we are going to look at Charge. Imagine a Universe where particles could have any value of charge or mass. What symmetries would be kept or broken in such a universe, and likewise what symmetries would be kept or broken in a universe such as ours where charge and mass are well defined?

In our universe symmetry of scale is broken because particles have well defined masses, so in the other universe it might be kept. We could assemble an apparatus out of particles that have twice the rest energy of the electrons and protons in our universe, it would be half as large because the size of atoms are determined by the electrons mass. but otherwise it would operate identically. So mass is related to symmetry of scale.

The operative question is, "What symmetry is related to the value of Electric Charge?" What symmetry would be kept or broken if Electric Charge could have any value, or if it had another value? There is such a symmetry and I call it "dynamical similarity" because it is an analog of the geometrical similarity we learned about in high school.

Consider a scattering experiment where an Electron is scattered off a fixed target of infinite mass at a 90deg. angle. Do a plot of the trajectory and the phase versus time. Now use a "double mass" electron (obviously a thought experiment) and halve the distances and times. The trajectory and phase plot will be geometrically similar, but of course smaller. Now plot the same experiment with double the charge. No transformation will allow you to superpose the two plots. They are not "dynamically similar". So having a specific (quantized) value of electric charge preserves dynamical similarity. So we can say that for the electromagnetic interaction, at least, dynamical similarity is an important symmetry. Because the coupling constants of the other interactions are supposed to be dimensionless, we might wonder if they preserve this symmetry too?

However this view doesn't, at this stage, help us understand the particular value.
 
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Its particular value is 1, but its "observable" value is essentially deluted by vacuum polarization (virtual charged particle pairs around it).
 
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But it does give us a new way of looking at Electric Charge and its role in our universe.


I find this novel view of Electric Charge to be quite intriguing. It offers a different perspective on a fundamental concept in physics and raises interesting questions about the underlying symmetries of our universe. The idea of dynamical similarity as a symmetry related to the value of electric charge is certainly thought-provoking.

I agree that the quantization of electric charge and its specific value of approximately 1/137 are still mysteries in physics. However, this viewpoint may provide a new direction for further exploration and research. It also highlights the interconnectedness of different physical phenomena and the importance of symmetry in understanding them.

I am curious to see if this idea of dynamical similarity can be applied to other fundamental constants and if it can provide insights into their values as well. Overall, this is a fascinating perspective that adds to the ongoing pursuit of understanding the fundamental building blocks of our universe. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Electric Charge.
 

1. What is electric charge?

Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter that causes particles to experience electric forces. It can be positive or negative, and like charges repel while opposite charges attract.

2. How is electric charge measured?

Electric charge is measured in units of coulombs (C) using an instrument called an electrometer. The charge on an object can also be measured indirectly by its effect on other charged objects.

3. What is the difference between static and current electricity?

Static electricity is the buildup of electric charge on the surface of an object, while current electricity is the flow of electric charge through a material. Static electricity is typically caused by friction, while current electricity is produced by a source, such as a battery or generator.

4. Can electric charge be created or destroyed?

No, electric charge is a conserved quantity, meaning it cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be transferred from one object to another.

5. How does electric charge interact with magnetic fields?

When an electric charge is in motion, it creates a magnetic field. Similarly, a changing magnetic field can induce an electric current. This relationship is described by Maxwell's equations and is the basis for many technological applications, such as generators and motors.

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