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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 the realization that electrons and protons have size emerge from a conflict of principle between classical E&M and foundational ideas of quantum theory? Or did the realization of size of subatomic particles emerge from developing the best model from later experiments, perhaps with accelerators, nuclear reactions, ...?

I'm sure that there is a more precise way to describe the issue I'm asking about but I only have a very superficial understanding/awareness of quantum theory and modern physics. My question is motivated from my studying E&M from Purcell and Griffiths.

Qmechanic
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lamplamp
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1 Answers1

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The sizes of subatomic particles have been measured by studying how beams of other particles bounce off them in different directions, using particle accelerators to form the beams.

Those experiments show that electrons have no size to them; as far as can be presently detected, they are zero-dimensional. Protons have finite size, an experimental fact which has been known for decades, but the quarks inside them are point particles like the electron.

niels nielsen
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