kvanttilataukset
Kvanttilataukset, or quantum charges, refer to the fundamental units of electric charge in quantum mechanics. The elementary charge, denoted by 'e', is the magnitude of the charge of a single electron or proton. It is a quantized property, meaning that any observable electric charge is an integer multiple of this fundamental unit. This concept is a cornerstone of electromagnetism and is deeply embedded within the Standard Model of particle physics. Subatomic particles like quarks possess fractional charges, but these are never observed in isolation; they are always confined within composite particles that exhibit integer multiples of the elementary charge. The discovery and understanding of quantized electric charge were crucial developments in the early 20th century, leading to advancements in atomic theory and quantum electrodynamics. The precise value of the elementary charge has been experimentally determined with high accuracy.