How much energy is stored in the charge on each electron?
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Any energy we claim exists must be measured between two or more objects. Its obvious for potential energy, but less obvious for kinetic energy: Consider that the kinetic energy we claim is in a moving object can only be detected/extracted by mechanically connecting it to a mass stationary to our person.
Likewise the 'energy' associated with a field can only be detected or extracted if there is another object nearby that also has that kind of field. For example, there is a certain potential energy associated with two charged particles near each other.
The bottom line is that energy (and thus mass, as well) can only be claimed for a closed system (and practically speaking, it can be nearly closed). That's why we cannot say things like, "a particle moving fast enough, will collapse into a black hole". (BTW, it doesn't). This is because that's an open system; specifically, we've neglected to include the mass in our pocket that would be needed to extract such energy. If, however, we say there is a closed box and in that box there are particles moving relative to each other, then we can say that the kinetic energy of those particles contributes to the total energy (and thus mass) of that box system.
So we can't define the energy in a charged particle unless we include other charged particles in the system.
Likewise the 'energy' associated with a field can only be detected or extracted if there is another object nearby that also has that kind of field. For example, there is a certain potential energy associated with two charged particles near each other.
The bottom line is that energy (and thus mass, as well) can only be claimed for a closed system (and practically speaking, it can be nearly closed). That's why we cannot say things like, "a particle moving fast enough, will collapse into a black hole". (BTW, it doesn't). This is because that's an open system; specifically, we've neglected to include the mass in our pocket that would be needed to extract such energy. If, however, we say there is a closed box and in that box there are particles moving relative to each other, then we can say that the kinetic energy of those particles contributes to the total energy (and thus mass) of that box system.
So we can't define the energy in a charged particle unless we include other charged particles in the system.
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Any energy we claim exists must be measured between two or more objects. Its obvious for potential energy, but less obvious for kinetic energy: Consider that the kinetic energy we claim is in a moving object can only be detected/extracted by mechanically connecting it to a mass stationary to our person.
Likewise the 'energy' associated with a field can only be detected or extracted if there is another object nearby that also has that kind of field. For example, there is a certain potential energy associated with two charged particles near each other.
The bottom line is that energy (and thus mass, as well) can only be claimed for a closed system (and practically speaking, it can be nearly closed). That's why we cannot say things like, "a particle moving fast enough, will collapse into a black hole". (BTW, it doesn't). This is because that's an open system; specifically, we've neglected to include the mass in our pocket that would be needed to extract such energy. If, however, we say there is a closed box and in that box there are particles moving relative to each other, then we can say that the kinetic energy of those particles contributes to the total energy (and thus mass) of that box system.
So we can't define the energy in a charged particle unless we include other charged particles in the system.
Likewise the 'energy' associated with a field can only be detected or extracted if there is another object nearby that also has that kind of field. For example, there is a certain potential energy associated with two charged particles near each other.
The bottom line is that energy (and thus mass, as well) can only be claimed for a closed system (and practically speaking, it can be nearly closed). That's why we cannot say things like, "a particle moving fast enough, will collapse into a black hole". (BTW, it doesn't). This is because that's an open system; specifically, we've neglected to include the mass in our pocket that would be needed to extract such energy. If, however, we say there is a closed box and in that box there are particles moving relative to each other, then we can say that the kinetic energy of those particles contributes to the total energy (and thus mass) of that box system.
So we can't define the energy in a charged particle unless we include other charged particles in the system.
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