Can Protons or Positrons Flow as a Current?

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Protons and positrons can theoretically flow as a current, as any flow of charge constitutes a current, even if it doesn't involve electrons. In particle accelerators, high-energy protons are accelerated in opposite directions and collide, demonstrating a practical scenario of proton flow. Additionally, in plasma, both electrons and positive ions flow under an applied voltage, with positive charges moving in the opposite direction to electrons. However, in solid conductors, positive ions are restricted to the crystal lattice, limiting their mobility. Overall, while protons and positrons can flow as a current, practical applications are primarily seen in specific environments like particle accelerators and plasmas.
lufc88
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Instead of electrical current could there ever be a situation where protons or positrons are made to flow as a current?
 
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lufc88 said:
Instead of electrical current could there ever be a situation where protons or positrons are made to flow as a current?

Any flow of charge constitutes a current, and I think you might even call it an "electric" current, even if it doesn't consist of electrons.

In particle accelerators, two beams of high energy protons (confined by magnetic fields) are accelerated around a ring in opposite directions until they collide into each other. I'm not sure about a situation in which there is a positron current.

In a plasma (like the ionized gas in a fluorescent light tube or one of those Geiger counters), both the electrons and the positive ions flow under the presence of an applied voltage (they just flow in opposite directions). It's only in a solid (as opposed to gaseous) conductor that the positive ions are restricted to be in the crystal lattice and only the electrons are mobile. So a plasma is another situation where you have a flow of positive charges.
 
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