Why Do Electrons Orbit Protons & Planets Orbit the Sun?

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In summary, electrons do not stick to protons in the nucleus due to quantum effects and the uncertainty principle. Similarly, planets do not crash into the sun due to their residual angular momentum at the formation of the solar system. The planets formed out of what was left after the sun's ignition and happened to have the right momentum to stay in orbit. This is explained by the anthropic principle. For more information, readers can refer to the FAQ section in Physics Forums.
  • #1
Caesar_Rahil
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Why don't elctrons just go and stick to the protons in the nucleus as they are opposite charged particles, why do they keep orbiting them.
Another question related to this.
Why don't planets just go and crash the sun due to gravity, why do they orbit around it,Who told them or set them in motion around the sun?
 
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  • #2
Electrons don't stick to protons because of quantum effects - namely the uncertainty principle.

Planets don't crash into the sun because of the residual angular momentum present at the formation of our solar system.

Claude.
 
  • #3
You can use the anthropic principle on the planets: when the solar system was formed, a lot of matter did crash into the sun and a lot was blown away by its ignition. The planets formed out of what was left that just happened to have the right momentum to stay in orbit.
 
  • #4
hmm i want to know too please reply
 
  • #5
Caesar_Rahil said:
Why don't elctrons just go and stick to the protons in the nucleus as they are opposite charged particles, why do they keep orbiting them.

Read our FAQ in this section of PF.

Zz.
 
  • #6
Could you give me a link? Where is that?
 
  • #7
Click back once to the list of threads for this section, and look near the top of the list: "Physics Forums FAQ".
 

1. Why do electrons orbit protons?

Electrons orbit protons due to the force of attraction between opposite charges. Protons have a positive charge while electrons have a negative charge, and according to Coulomb's Law, opposite charges attract each other. This attraction keeps electrons in orbit around the nucleus of an atom.

2. How do electrons stay in orbit around protons?

Electrons stay in orbit around protons due to the balance of two forces: the attractive force between the positive charge of the nucleus and the negative charge of the electron, and the centrifugal force caused by the electron's high speed. These two forces create a stable orbit for the electron.

3. Why do planets orbit the sun?

Planets orbit the sun due to the force of gravity. The sun has a huge mass, which creates a strong gravitational pull that keeps the planets in orbit around it. This is similar to how the nucleus of an atom keeps electrons in orbit.

4. How do planets maintain their orbits around the sun?

Planets maintain their orbits around the sun due to the balance between their forward motion and the gravitational pull of the sun. The planets' velocity allows them to continuously fall towards the sun, but their forward motion keeps them from getting any closer, resulting in a stable orbit.

5. Why do electrons and planets not collide with the protons and sun?

Electrons and planets do not collide with protons and the sun because of their high speeds and the electromagnetic repulsion between particles with the same charge. This repulsion force prevents the electron from getting too close to the nucleus, just like how the planets' speed and centrifugal force prevent them from getting too close to the sun.

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