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The short answer is no. There are experiments in which the electron does behave as a point-like particle (definitely smaller than anything that is currently me
by tsimionescu 3y ago
The short answer is no.
There are experiments in which the electron does behave as a point-like particle (definitely smaller than anything that is currently measurable, if it has any size at all). In particular, any interaction always consumes or creates exactly one electron, there is never a half electron being affected (of course, it could be 2 or 3 etc electrons - but always a whole number, never a fraction). So, it doesn't behave like a cloud of something.
Secondly, there are experiments where it behaves like a wave in a field, showing self-interaction and peaks and troughs etc. This continues to happen even if you space it very far apart from other electrons. Experiments have been done using an electron cannon that can only fire one electron every hour or so at a double slit, and still you get the same diffusion pattern on the screen. So, the electron wave is still there and shows self-interference, even if you send it slowly. Clouds again don't have this type of behavior.
Not to mention, if the charge of an electron were distributed in a large cloud, that would have very measurable consequences for the electic and magnetic fields of that electron.
As others are pointing out, there is no way to think classically about quantum phenomena and still match all experiments.
- akomtu 3y agoWhat's the magnetic field of an electron in the double slit experiment before the electron has decided where it wants to be? The electron travels slowly, the detector screen may be very far, while the magnetic field travels fast.