Versuchen GOLD - Frei
HOW MANY ELECTRONS ARE THERE IN THE UNIVERSE?
BBC Science Focus
|November 2025
It's difficult to know for sure how many electrons are in the Universe. British physicist Arthur Eddington (1882-1944) came up with a number in 1938, now known as the 'Eddington number'.
-
Eddington's calculation was actually for the number of protons in the Universe, but based on our knowledge of the physics of the early Universe, and the known strength of the electromagnetic force, we can assume this is the same as the number of electrons. Eddington's number was 1.57 x 1079.
Unfortunately, this estimate was based on rather dubious physics. More modern estimates put this number slightly higher, at almost 1080 (that's 1 followed by 80 zeros).
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 2025-Ausgabe von BBC Science Focus.
Abonnieren Sie Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierter Premium-Geschichten und über 9.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Sie sind bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
WEITERE GESCHICHTEN VON BBC Science Focus
BBC Science Focus
PASS THE PLASTIC
All of us are ingesting microplastics. Could dietary fibre help us get it out?
3 mins
November 2025
BBC Science Focus
Finally... An EV worthy of your bedroom wall
Ferrari's new Elettrica could be the car that gets dyed-in-the-wool petrolheads to long for an EV. It could also be the car that reshapes the entire EV landscape
4 mins
November 2025
BBC Science Focus
THE PUDU
Just when you thought Bambi couldn't get any cuter, meet the pudu, the world's smallest deer. Standing little taller than a domestic cat, what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in allure. Doe-eyed, button-nosed, with little legs and perky ears, this diminutive South American mammal looks like it has stepped straight out of a Disney film.
2 mins
November 2025
BBC Science Focus
60-year mystery of the fossil skull that baffled scientists may finally be solved
The Petralona skull was discovered in Greece in 1960, yet its origin has perplexed experts – until now
2 mins
November 2025
BBC Science Focus
Only 1% of the world is eating a healthy and sustainable diet
A major report found healthier diets could transform the food system
3 mins
November 2025
BBC Science Focus
COLD AND FLU SEASON
Nobody enjoys being stuck in bed sneezing and coughing the days away. But there are steps you can take to increase your chances of avoiding these winter ailments
4 mins
November 2025
BBC Science Focus
There's another diabetes in town, here's how to recognise it
Misdiagnosis rates for this rare type of diabetes could be complicating treatment for patients
5 mins
November 2025
BBC Science Focus
THE QUEST TO FIND THE EDGE OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM
NASA's newly launched IMAP mission is set to tell us more about the boundary between our Solar System and interstellar space than ever before
7 mins
November 2025
BBC Science Focus
WHICH VAPE FLAVOUR IS WORSE FOR YOU?
If you're trying to quit smoking, you'll have probably heard talk that switching to e-cigarettes - or vapes - is a healthier option. One study by researchers at University College London estimated that in 2017 alone, over 50,000 people stopped smoking thanks to their use of e-cigarettes.
2 mins
November 2025
BBC Science Focus
WANTED: GUT BACTERIA DEAD OR ALIVE
There are millions of bacteria living in our guts. There are millions of dead bacteria there too. And scientists are learning just how much potential the dead ones have to improve our health
7 mins
November 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size