The discussion centers on the behavior of ions in an electrolyte when an insulated conductor is positively charged. It concludes that the electric field primarily attracts negative ions (anions) while repelling positive ions (cations) in contact with the conductor's surface. The electrostatic forces between the ions are significant, limiting the distance that cations can be pushed away from the conductor to just a few molecular lengths. This interaction highlights the dominance of attraction over repulsion in ionic solutions under an electric field.
PREREQUISITESThis discussion is beneficial for physicists, chemists, and electrical engineers interested in the behavior of ions in electrolytic environments and the principles governing electrostatic interactions.
The electrostatic forces between the ions themselves are incredibly strong, the charged object (assuming a "normal" magnitude of charge) would only be able to push away the cations from its surface by the distance of a few molecules, and the similar thing would apply to the anions in the other direction.Samson4 said:When an insulated conductor; submerged in an ionic solution, is charged positively. Is there equal repulsion and attraction of ions? Or does the electric field mostly attract negative ions while only repelling positive ions in contact with it's surface?