Are Protons Magnetic? Answers to Your Questions

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Kalrag
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Magnetic Protons
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the magnetic properties of protons, specifically whether they are magnetic, how they interact with magnetic fields, and the implications for applications such as particle accelerators and magnetic resonance imaging. Participants explore both theoretical and practical aspects of magnetism in protons and neutrons.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that protons have a magnetic moment and can be controlled by magnetic fields, referencing their use in particle accelerators.
  • Others question whether neutrons can also be controlled magnetically, noting that while they can, their magnetic field is very weak.
  • One participant clarifies that a magnetic field does not do work on a proton, only changing its direction without affecting its speed.
  • There is a discussion about the similarities between protons and electrons as charged spin-1/2 particles, suggesting they are both magnetic in nature.
  • Some participants mention the concept of "fudge factors" in relation to magnetic moment and angular momentum, indicating that these quantities are not always proportional as expected.
  • A later reply challenges the idea that particle accelerators rely on the magnetic moment of protons, suggesting instead that it is the electric charge of protons moving through a magnetic field that causes their path to curve.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of magnetic interactions with protons and neutrons, particularly regarding the mechanisms by which they can be controlled by magnetic fields. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives presented.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made about magnetic fields and their effects on protons and neutrons, as well as the definitions of magnetic moments and their implications in various contexts.

Kalrag
Messages
104
Reaction score
0
Alright, this one is really bugging me. Are protons magnetic. Are they attracted to a magnet or can the be controlled by a magnet?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
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.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Magnetic Resonance physics question: RF pulse role and 'in-phase'
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
High School Magnetic Fields and Particle Movement: How Do Magnets Affect Electrons?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
High School Magnetic Field & Particle Spin: Does It Matter?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
High School Magnetic attraction force Question
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Undergrad Magnetic field around a conductor with protons?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
High School Magnetic fields attracting two disc-shaped magnets
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
High School Why does a magnet attract metal objects?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
High School Can we use a permanent magnet and a copper rod to create an electret?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
High School Magnet inside a solenoid with current
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
High School Not sure about the magnetic flux (phi) depending on a cosine function
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K