Are Protons Magnetic? Answers to Your Questions

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    Magnetic Protons
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SUMMARY

Protons possess a magnetic moment, allowing them to be influenced by magnetic fields, which is fundamental in applications like particle accelerators and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). While protons can be controlled magnetically, neutrons also exhibit magnetic properties, albeit with a weaker magnetic field. The interaction of protons with magnetic fields does not change their speed but alters their direction, a principle crucial in particle physics. The discussion highlights the distinction between the effects of constant magnetic fields and gradients in magnetic fields on charged particles.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of magnetic moments and their significance in particle physics
  • Familiarity with particle accelerators and their operational principles
  • Knowledge of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology
  • Basic concepts of charged particles and their behavior in magnetic fields
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of particle acceleration in particle accelerators
  • Explore the role of magnetic fields in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Study the differences between protons and neutrons regarding magnetic properties
  • Investigate the concept of magnetic field gradients and their effects on charged particles
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, engineers working with particle accelerators, medical professionals utilizing MRI technology, and students studying advanced physics concepts related to magnetism and particle behavior.

Kalrag
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Alright, this one is really bugging me. Are protons magnetic. Are they attracted to a magnet or can the be controlled by a magnet?
 
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They have a Magnetic moment and so do neutrons .
 
yes they can be controlled magnetically, that's how particle accelerators work.
 
So is that also true for neutrons. That they can be controlled by magnets?
 
Idoubt said:
yes they can be controlled magnetically, that's how particle accelerators work.
That is also how magnetic resonance imaging works.
 
Kalrag said:
So is that also true for neutrons. That they can be controlled by magnets?
Yes but their B field is very weak.
 
Kalrag said:
Alright, this one is really bugging me. Are protons magnetic. Are they attracted to a magnet or can the be controlled by a magnet?

Just to clear a point: a magnetic field will not do work on the proton. It will accelerate the proton in a circular way, just changing the direction but not the magnitude.
 
Individual protons are magnetic in the same sense as individual electrons! They are both charged spin-1/2 particles.
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-factor

electron fudge factor
c06b1cfe8a7cb8faab6289d53ffbba3d.png

proton and neutron fudge factor
1a6b4979c46f7020725e4c6a3f88b29d.png

muon fudge factor
aca0d89d373d09e9c93c63f39523d51a.png
 
  • #10
granpa said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-factor

electron fudge factor...

Other than being more massive, can you explain what the differences are? How does this affect its motion, in contrast to (just) its mass and charge?
 
  • #11
We would expect magnetic moment and angular momentum to always be proportional to each other.
They arent.
Hence the fudge factors.
 
Last edited:
  • #12
Sakha said:
Just to clear a point: a magnetic field will not do work on the proton. It will accelerate the proton in a circular way, just changing the direction but not the magnitude.
What you said is true for CONSTANT magnetic field. A gradient in the field can accelerate a magnetic moment.
 
  • #13
Idoubt said:
yes they can be controlled magnetically, that's how particle accelerators work.

This doesn't sound right to me. Particle accelerators use magnetic fields to curve the path of protons but this is due to the proton's electric charge moving through an external magnetic field, not the proton's magnetic moment.
 

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