They are a quantised wave in the electromagnet field. The concept of shape or object size breaks down at this level.
Some scientists refer to them as point like, since we can’t measure any diameter on them. It’s more likely tied to their current wavelength. The faster they move, the more energy they have, and the shorter the wavelength. The shorter their wavelength, the smaller they are. Unfortunately this is also a vector (speed and direction) so their shape is different depending on the direction you measure them. Even more confusing, relativity comes to play too. Their velocity is different for different observers, therefore their apparent size is different.
Most experiments don’t bother dealing with this however. They just assume it’s point like, and that seems to align very well with experimental results.
The question of what an electron really is, is still open as far as I know. Even the question of whether it’s a “particle”, is still open. In many or most theories the question of “what it is” is somewhat bypassed. In quantum field theory you describe electrons as a field (like the electromagnetic field), but all fields have the peculiar property that they show energy exchanges in very localized, point-like regions of space – that’s why you can think of them as particles sometimes. Take a look at Wald’s book to get an idea.
There are even still open theories that try to describe electrons as mini charged black holes; not to speak about strings, and so on…
Uh… So are they like tiny basketballs or what?
More like this: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/80/Reddy_Kilowatt_with_wall_outlet_pose.jpg
Teleporting basketballs
They are a quantised wave in the electromagnet field. The concept of shape or object size breaks down at this level.
Some scientists refer to them as point like, since we can’t measure any diameter on them. It’s more likely tied to their current wavelength. The faster they move, the more energy they have, and the shorter the wavelength. The shorter their wavelength, the smaller they are. Unfortunately this is also a vector (speed and direction) so their shape is different depending on the direction you measure them. Even more confusing, relativity comes to play too. Their velocity is different for different observers, therefore their apparent size is different.
Most experiments don’t bother dealing with this however. They just assume it’s point like, and that seems to align very well with experimental results.
Bro a whole wall of text, didn’t even answer if they were like basketballs or no. Wow.
The question of what an electron really is, is still open as far as I know. Even the question of whether it’s a “particle”, is still open. In many or most theories the question of “what it is” is somewhat bypassed. In quantum field theory you describe electrons as a field (like the electromagnetic field), but all fields have the peculiar property that they show energy exchanges in very localized, point-like regions of space – that’s why you can think of them as particles sometimes. Take a look at Wald’s book to get an idea.
There are even still open theories that try to describe electrons as mini charged black holes; not to speak about strings, and so on…