The universe operates on a discrete, indivisible unit of electricity
In short: Why is electric charge not continuous? This video explores the quantization of electricity and how we discovered the fundamental building block of all electrical phenomena.
Paul Andersen explains that electric charge is quantized, meaning it exists in specific, discrete amounts rather than a smooth flow. The smallest possible unit of this charge is known as the elementary charge, which measures approximately 1.6x10^-19 Coulombs.
The discovery of this constant is rooted in Robert Millikan's famous oil drop experiment. This foundational work revealed that electrons carry a negative elementary charge while protons carry a positive one.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Elementary Charge
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