I don't mean 99.999...%, I mean exactly the same; or is there some distinguishable characteristic? Maybe differences arising from their point of origin, or some sort of 'signature' unique to that particle?
And the same Q goes for protons/neutrons/etc...ons
And the same Q goes for protons/neutrons/etc...ons
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All electrons are identical (well except for being in different quantum states--which no two electrons can occupy the same quantum state). The same goes for quarks and protons and neutrons (again though, two different protons or neutrons COULD be distinguished by being in different quantum states).
As an example, quantum mechanics makes the assumption that two electrons are indistinguishable and this leads to a symmetric (or really for electrons asymmetric) wave function.
Basically, if you have two identical particles each in a certain quantum state, then you can COMBINE those two wavefunctions (for each corresponding state) into a SINGLE wavefunction that captures BOTH particles.
Once you do this, you have to accept that you have no idea which particle is in which state and thus the wavefunction becomes a combination of the two possibilities (i.e. particle 1 is in state a and particle 2 is in state b OR particle 1 is in state b and particle 2 is in state a).
As an example, quantum mechanics makes the assumption that two electrons are indistinguishable and this leads to a symmetric (or really for electrons asymmetric) wave function.
Basically, if you have two identical particles each in a certain quantum state, then you can COMBINE those two wavefunctions (for each corresponding state) into a SINGLE wavefunction that captures BOTH particles.
Once you do this, you have to accept that you have no idea which particle is in which state and thus the wavefunction becomes a combination of the two possibilities (i.e. particle 1 is in state a and particle 2 is in state b OR particle 1 is in state b and particle 2 is in state a).
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It's worth noting that I said no two electrons can occupy the same state--and that quantum effect can be used to describe a white dwarf along with neutron stars. HOWEVER, black holes produce a completely different state of matter which we have no way of investigating.
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No, some have smiley faces; others are sour pusses.
Actually, all electrons are exactly alike. They are exactly the same mass, same spin, and same charge. And that's pretty much how they are all measured; we don't have other characteristics to measure.
Same deal for all the sub atomic particles. Spin, charge, and mass. And one sub atomic particle is just like all the others that have the same spin, charge, and mass. Pretty boring. Check out the source and you'll see how they are tabled according to the spin, charge, and mass. You can add a mirror image of the table you see to account for the anti-particle twin of each particle.
Oh, I forgot, electrons can have different energy levels. When one absorbs a photon, its energy level rises. When it emits a photons, it loses energy. But that's like saying a Ferrari going 120 kph is different from one that is parked. It's still a Ferrari; and they are still electrons no matter what their energy levels.
Actually, all electrons are exactly alike. They are exactly the same mass, same spin, and same charge. And that's pretty much how they are all measured; we don't have other characteristics to measure.
Same deal for all the sub atomic particles. Spin, charge, and mass. And one sub atomic particle is just like all the others that have the same spin, charge, and mass. Pretty boring. Check out the source and you'll see how they are tabled according to the spin, charge, and mass. You can add a mirror image of the table you see to account for the anti-particle twin of each particle.
Oh, I forgot, electrons can have different energy levels. When one absorbs a photon, its energy level rises. When it emits a photons, it loses energy. But that's like saying a Ferrari going 120 kph is different from one that is parked. It's still a Ferrari; and they are still electrons no matter what their energy levels.
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They are totally indistinguishable.
There's even a short Wiki article on this if you are interested.
There's even a short Wiki article on this if you are interested.