Questions tagged [point-particles]
The point-particles tag has no usage guidance.
157
questions
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Do charges have spatial dimension?
I don't know much about anything in physics. I hope you can bear with that. Let me start with my question do charges have any dimension, by this I mean physical dimension like length, breadth, height ...
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2answers
68 views
Do electron-electron collisions have an associated scattering cross section?
Various texts (1,2) state that electrons are point particles, but if this is the case then when two electrons collide, one of them knows the others position with exact certainty (treating one as an ...
1
vote
1answer
42 views
Inverse-square laws and point particles [closed]
It's my understanding that many inverse-square laws can be explained as a central point emitting "interaction rays" in all directions equally. And that when another object with some area is &...
2
votes
2answers
59 views
A photon scatters an electron at an angle… Does it imply electron having an area greater then the photon's?
Even we don't know much about scattering areas of photons and electrons does the fact that a photon scattering an electron at an angle mean that the photon cross-section area hits only a small lateral ...
1
vote
1answer
146 views
Relationship between stress-energy tensor for a point particle and its Lagrangian
The Lagrangian for a (relativistic) point particle with rest mass $m$ and velocity $v$ is:
$$L=-\frac{m}{\gamma (v)}$$
(using $c=1$). Over on Wikipedia we can find the Stress-energy tensor for said ...
2
votes
2answers
145 views
Lagrangian mechanics formulation of a simple free motion of two masses in uniform gravity field
As a part of larger project, I decided to test my Lagrangian formulation of simple system of two rigidly connected point masses as indicated below.
I introduce the generalized coordinates vector $\...
1
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0answers
29 views
Extended SUSY and superspace
I am trying to understand how to construct an action using the superspace formalism for $\mathcal N>1$. I have read that this is quite difficult to do, so let's consider a simple example. Suppose I ...
2
votes
0answers
46 views
Actions for relativistic point-particles of higher spin
To describe the behavior of a relativistic point-particle, we have the standard action
$$S=\int d\tau \bigg[\frac{1}{e} \dot X^\mu\dot X_\mu +m^2 e\bigg], $$
where $e$ is the worldline einbein. Then, ...
4
votes
3answers
108 views
General Relativity at Microscopic Scale
If we consider a particle to be point-like, wouldn't it produce a Schwarzschild spacetime in it's vicinity?
What does spacetime look-like in the vicinity of point particles? What experiments have been ...
2
votes
3answers
133 views
Why the use of proper time as a parameter to describe the worldline only works for *massive* particle?
In Hobson et al, General Relativity: An Introduction for Physicists (pg. 15), it was said that it is natural to describe the worldline of a massive particle by giving the four coordinates $(t,x,y,z)$...
2
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0answers
37 views
Is there a code for Ewald Summation for Dipoles?
Does anybody know if there exists a code that calculates the potential energy for a system with both point charges and point dipoles using Ewald summation?
This would be a great help to my Master ...
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6answers
2k views
Can elementary particles be explained adequately by a wave-only model?
I have been watching quantum mechanics documentaries and reading a layman's book called "The Quantum Universe". I believe I understand why the double slit experiments exclude a particle only model. ...
4
votes
1answer
47 views
Action for extended objects
Take a spacetime $M$, with some $k$-manifold embedding
$$X : \Sigma \to M$$
The image of $X$ represents some extended object (a $k$-brane as the string theory people say). If we only care about the ...
0
votes
1answer
41 views
Is this a sufficient condition for a stable equilibrium point?
My question is based on thinking about a point particle in electromagnetic fields, but the idea should apply to other problems.
The point $\mathbf x_0$ is an equilibrium point of the force field $\...
2
votes
1answer
164 views
Deriving the 4-momentum of a free particle moving in curved spacetime
Consider a free particle with rest mass $m$ moving along a geodesic in some curved spacetime with metric $g_{\mu\nu}$:
$$S=-m\int d\tau=-m\int\Big(\frac{d\tau}{d\lambda}\Big)d\lambda=\int L\ d\lambda\...
0
votes
2answers
86 views
Relative size of electrons and quarks
Today, we consider quarks and electrons (leptons) as point-like or fundamental (structureless). Is there any way to indirectly probe quark/lepton substructure and guess if they are composite of ...
0
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1answer
78 views
In QED why is the electron a point particle? [duplicate]
I read Feynman's book but this still unclear to me.
0
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1answer
136 views
Does the electron have size? [duplicate]
Can we ascertain the size of the electron? If it really is zero radius, then it can't be matter because it doesn't occupy space?
Definition of matter (Google): physical substance in general, as ...
1
vote
1answer
140 views
How to theoretically/experimentally prove that spin can not be treated as a classical (rotational) motion? [closed]
As well known, spin could not be thought of as a rotational motion in classical mechanics, i.e. it's an intrinsic property.
But how to prove it? i.e. how to mathematically/experimentally show that ...
0
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0answers
38 views
Point particle and angular deficit
I would like to understand in what sense an angular deficit can be interpreted as a point particle. Typically, if you have a metric in polar coordinates such as:
$$ds^2 = -dt^2 + a^2(t,r) dr^2 + r^2 d\...
0
votes
1answer
257 views
Lagrangian non-relativistic limit to the non-relativistic action: lagrangian of a free particle
Let be $u=|\bar{u}|$ the speed of a free particle (at constant speed) of mass $m$ that is moving in relation to an inertial frame. Why we initially introduce the term $\epsilon$ to the free lagrangian
...
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votes
4answers
6k views
Is there anything in the universe that cannot be compressed?
I've always thought that there is nothing in the universe that cannot be compressed or deformed under enough force but my friend insists that elementary particles are exempt from this.
My thought is ...
2
votes
1answer
116 views
What is the reasoning that leads one to postulate this second form for the relativistic particle action?
The action for the free relativistic particle with worldline $\gamma : I\subset \mathbb{R}\to M$ is
$$S[\gamma]=-m\int d\lambda\sqrt{-\dot{\gamma}^a(\lambda)\dot{\gamma}_a(\lambda)}\tag{1} $$
Now, ...
-1
votes
2answers
252 views
Is the Lagrangian of a non-relativistic particle just $\dot{x}$?
Let
$$
S= m \int_a^b \dot{x}dt
$$
Using the relation $L\to L^2/2$, (see Geodesic Equation from variation: Is the squared lagrangian equivalent?)
I obtain
$$
S=m\int_a^b\frac{1}{2}(\dot{x})^2dt
$$
...
0
votes
2answers
882 views
What is a point object? [duplicate]
I am currently studying Kinematics and there's a little bit confusion about the definition of point object given in my course book NCERT(it is a standard textbook in India) which is as follows :
This ...
0
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1answer
70 views
Is it acceptable to add a scalar potential to the Lagrangian of a relativistic massive point particle?
Starting from
$$
L=\sqrt{g_{\mu\nu} \frac{\partial X^\nu}{\partial t} \frac{\partial X^\mu}{\partial t }} \tag{1}
$$
One can rewrite it as $L\to L^2/2$
$$
\frac{L^2}{2}=\frac{1}{2}g_{\mu\nu} \frac{\...
5
votes
4answers
2k views
Is charge point-like or a smear?
Coulomb gave the law for the force between two static charges while considering them to be points in space. But the differential form of Gauss' Law talks about charge densities, a thing possible only ...
1
vote
1answer
69 views
Point particles as the limit of a short string
There's a common saying in the domain of the study of classical relativistic strings, that in the limit of a very short string, the action reduces to that of a point particle (there is for instance a ...
6
votes
1answer
124 views
Solving free particles with Fourier series
Here's a silly idea : take the action of a free particle,
$$S = \int_{t_1}^{t_2} \dot{x}^2 dt$$
Our configuration space is the space of $C^1$ functions over $[t_1, t_2]$, which is spanned by the ...
17
votes
5answers
3k views
How can electric field be defined as force per charge, if the charge makes its own, singular electric field?
The electric field $\bf{E}$ represents how much force would act on a particle at a certain position per unit charge.
However, if we actually place a particle in that position, the electric field will ...
1
vote
1answer
182 views
Do elementary particles have a density?
The SM supposes elementary particles are structureless unless composite objects like hadrons. For bosons, that can occupy the same state, we can define energy or mass density. The same happens but ...
1
vote
1answer
50 views
Electromagnetic field of a point charge seen from a rotating reference frame
Let us consider a point charge sitting in the origin of our coordinate system. If we change to a rotating system, will the field of the point charge still look the same? Intuitively I would say yes, ...
0
votes
1answer
49 views
Why the continuous arrangement of point masses (particles) at infinitesimal separations leads to a extended system?
I am basically talking in terms of Newtonian mechanics. The Newton's laws started with a good and easy assumption of particles as point masses. This assumption clearly reformed physics and a great ...
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0answers
24 views
Equilibration of a solid body with two points particles
How do I find $\theta$ as it $\theta (m,d,l) and AB=L$? And the cane which holds the two points particles(mass) is massless . In A the point mass is $3M$ and in B the mass is $M$ where there is no ...
3
votes
1answer
78 views
Sizes of Elementary Particles
Present observation shows that elementary particles have no internal structure, and have no real size as they are described by wavefunction.
Something that therefore confuses me is that on a lot of ...
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vote
1answer
157 views
Do point particles really exist? [closed]
The vast theories of physics (and mathematics) lay on the notion of material point. However, relativity and quantum mechanics cast doubts about the ultimate existence of zero-dimensional points:
...
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1answer
168 views
Rotation of a Point Particle
I wonder if there is a meaning of rotation for a point particle.
Does a point particle have angular momentum and does he reply to torque?
3
votes
2answers
336 views
Is it possible to have mass with zero volume?
As we had always studied that matter occupied space and has mass and our universe is made of matter so do that mean that there is no case where mass is present without volume .
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0answers
50 views
Point-like particle vs naked singularity? [duplicate]
In general, physics seems to consider elementary particles such as electrons to be point-like. On the other hand, naked singularities seem to cause all sorts of trouble, including closed time-like ...
0
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1answer
124 views
What is dipolar charge distribution?
An electric dipole is a system of two opposite point charges when their separation goes to zero and their charge goes to infinity in a way that the product of the charge and the separation remains ...
1
vote
1answer
95 views
Empty space inside of atoms [duplicate]
Since most of the space between the nucleus and electron is empty space is that space in a vacuum?
I’ve not seen any info on this online or in textbooks does anyone have anything on this?
4
votes
1answer
316 views
Non-relativistic limit of Hamiltonian for a free particle in general relativity
The Hamiltonian for a particle moving in a gravitational field can be taken as
$$\mathcal{H} = \frac12 \sum_{\mu,\nu=0}^3g^{\mu\nu}(x)p_\mu p_\nu\tag{1}$$
as long as the parametrization is affine. ...
0
votes
1answer
59 views
Question about point particle vs. wave equation location
Another uncertainty question, this came up in another forum.
As I understand it an electron, for example, is a point-like particle. I take this to mean it exhibits dimensionless properties, but ...
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votes
8answers
7k views
How can neutral atoms have exactly zero electric field when there is a difference in the positions of the charges? [duplicate]
It is said that atoms with the same number of electrons as protons are electrically neutral, so they have no net charge or net electric field.
A particle with charge cannot exist at the same position ...
4
votes
1answer
192 views
Two Questions about Path Integral from “Gauge Fields and Strings” by Polyakov
My questions are about worldline path integrals from the book Gauge Fields and Strings of Polyakov. On page 153, chapter 9, he says
Let us begin with the following path integral
\begin{align}
&...
0
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2answers
368 views
When would an object not be considered a point-particle in relation to gravity?
When is the Earth, for example, not considered a point in relation to gravity?
I am thinking that if one was asking a question below the crust continously to the core, then this would be an example.
...
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0answers
35 views
Shape of electron [duplicate]
Today, in the BBC Science section, a headline reads that the Imperial College of London has determined that the shape of the electron is completely spherical. In a physics book I'm reading now, the ...
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1answer
76 views
When/Why Did Physics Discard The Point Charge As An Accurate Representation? [closed]
Is there anything about the implications of the "early" quantum theory of Schrodinger equation, wave-particle duality, or the two slit experiment that conflicts with the idea of a point charge? Did ...
0
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2answers
63 views
Can an electron pass through a gap smaller than an electron?
If an electron (photon) can pass through a gap smaller than an electron (photon) then it is a wave otherwise it it a particle. Is this a correct way of reasoning?
3
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2answers
186 views
Geodesic equations from action with auxiliary field
A textbook says that the geodesic equations (for both massive and massless) can be derived from the following action:
$$
S = -\frac{1}{2} \int d\tau \:\eta \: (\eta^{-2} \dot{x}^\mu \dot{x}^\nu g_{\...
