Do Electrons Attract AND Repel?

In summary: It's just that the forces vary in each object's rest frame, and it's easy to get confused. In summary, electrons repel each other due to their negative charges, but they also attract each other due to the force of gravity. However, for fundamental particles, the electric repulsion is much greater than the gravitational attraction. In a simple model, electrons in the same orbital repel each other but are also attracted to the nucleus. For two electrons in a fixed distance, the dominant force depends on the magnitude of the electrostatic and gravitational forces. For two like charges moving at relativistic speeds, the magnetic and electric components of the Lorentz force cancel out, and the gravitational force remains the same regardless of the frame of reference
  • #1
FeDeX_LaTeX
Gold Member
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Bit confused here. Electrons repel each other because they both have negative charges. But wouldn't they also ATTRACT each other because of the force of gravity?

[itex]F_{g} = \frac {Gm_{1}m_{2}} {d^{2}}[/itex]

Do two electrons by this law have a force of gravity that attracts them? Is it possible to get two identically charged particles to ATTRACT if the force of gravity given by the above formula is GREATER than the repulsive electron force?
 
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  • #2
FeDeX_LaTeX said:
Bit confused here. Electrons repel each other because they both have negative charges. But wouldn't they also ATTRACT each other because of the force of gravity?

[itex]F_{g} = \frac {Gm_{1}m_{2}} {d^{2}}[/itex]

Do two electrons by this law have a force of gravity that attracts them? Is it possible to get two identically charged particles to ATTRACT if the force of gravity given by the above formula is GREATER than the repulsive electron force?

Everything you say is correct. But for fundamental particles, the electric repulsion will always be much greater than the gravitational attraction. However, if you give the Earth and moon each one electron charge, the gravitational attraction will still be dominant :-)
Torquil
 
  • #3
You're correct. The electron repels each other because of the same charge but attracts because of the gravitational force. Both kinds of force obeys the square law (force is proportional to [tex]\frac{1}{r^2}[/tex]). Two things repelling or attracting depending on charge and mass of themselves.
 
  • #4
Why don't electrons in the same orbital repel each other
 
  • #5
Saad Ahmed said:
Why don't electrons in the same orbital repel each other

Of course they do! In a simple 'pictorial' model, they keep as far from each other as possible - but they are, of course, attracted to the + nucleus at the same time, which keeps them from drifting away.
 
  • #6
FeDeX_LaTeX said:
Bit confused here. Electrons repel each other because they both have negative charges. But wouldn't they also ATTRACT each other because of the force of gravity?

[itex]F_{g} = \frac {Gm_{1}m_{2}} {d^{2}}[/itex]

Do two electrons by this law have a force of gravity that attracts them? Is it possible to get two identically charged particles to ATTRACT if the force of gravity given by the above formula is GREATER than the repulsive electron force?

1. Put two electrons at a fix distance from each other.

2. Compute the electrostatic force between them.

3. Compute the gravitational force between them.

4. COMPARE the magnitude of both forces and see which one DOMINATES!

zZ.
 
  • #7
Repulsive Forces in greater than Gravitational Force...
Than why electrons does repel each other in same Orbital?
i think due to opposite spin which create opposite magnetic field in btw Electrons As we know opposite Magnetic field of lines attracts each other...
 
  • #8
why does an electron not collide with nucleus??

why does an electron not collide with nucleus??
 
  • #9


Saad Ahmed said:
why does an electron not collide with nucleus??

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=511179 [Broken]
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #10


For two like charges moving parallel at a relativistic speed, the magnetic component of the Lorentz force nearly cancels out the electric component of the Lorentz force. According to General Relativity, does the gravitational "force" increase, decrease, or remain the same when viewed from the rest frame of that system?
 
  • #11
"Relativistic speed" relative to each other is zero, surely.
 

1. Do electrons attract each other?

Yes, electrons do attract each other. This is due to the electrostatic force, which is a fundamental force of nature that is responsible for the attraction and repulsion of charged particles. Electrons are negatively charged, so they are attracted to positively charged particles like protons. However, they also repel other negatively charged particles, such as other electrons.

2. How can electrons attract and repel at the same time?

Electrons can attract and repel at the same time because of their charge. As mentioned before, electrons have a negative charge and are attracted to positively charged particles. However, they also repel other negatively charged particles. This is because like charges repel each other according to the electrostatic force.

3. What causes electrons to attract and repel?

The electrostatic force is what causes electrons to attract and repel. This force is a result of the electric charge of particles. Opposite charges attract each other, while like charges repel each other. Electrons have a negative charge and are attracted to positively charged particles, but they also repel other negatively charged particles.

4. Can electrons attract and repel in different situations?

Yes, electrons can attract and repel in different situations. The electrostatic force is always present, so electrons will always attract or repel depending on the charge of the particles around them. For example, in an atom, electrons are attracted to the positively charged nucleus but repel other electrons in the same orbit.

5. What are some real-life examples of electrons attracting and repelling?

Some real-life examples of electrons attracting and repelling include the behavior of electrons in atoms and molecules, electromagnetic interactions, and the functioning of electronic devices. In an atom, the attraction between electrons and protons keeps the atom stable, while the repulsion between electrons prevents them from collapsing into the nucleus. In electromagnetic interactions, the attraction and repulsion of electrons are responsible for the behavior of magnets and the generation of electricity. In electronic devices, the movement of electrons allows for the attraction and repulsion that creates electric currents and allows for the functioning of devices such as computers and cell phones.

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