The discussion centers on the interplay between electrostatic forces and gravitational forces that prevent objects from penetrating the ground. It emphasizes the role of quantum mechanics and the Pauli exclusion principle in understanding the stability of matter. The conversation highlights that without electrostatic interactions, an object would fall through the Earth, illustrating the significance of electromagnetic interactions in maintaining the integrity of bulk matter. The discussion also touches on the nature of dark matter particles, which may not interact electromagnetically and thus would pass through ordinary matter without clumping.
PREREQUISITESPhysicists, students of quantum mechanics, researchers in material science, and anyone interested in the fundamental forces of nature and their implications for matter stability.
If you imagine a particle that interacts with the Earth gravitationally but not otherwise (no electric charge for example), then that particle would pass right through the Earth.Ranku said:An object on the surface of the ground does not penetrate the ground. How much is this because of the electrostatic force between the particles constituting the ground and the object, and thereby maintaining their integrity? And, how much is it because of the materiality of the mass of the particles constituting the ground and the object and the gravitational force between them?
Just to clarify, given that the object is grounded and electrically neutral, is there any electrostatic interaction between the object and the ground?PeroK said:If you imagine a particle that interacts with the Earth gravitationally but not otherwise (no electric charge for example), then that particle would pass right through the Earth.
There may be such particles that constitute the dark matter that makes up the missing mass of the galaxies. These particles would not clump together like ordinary matter into stars and planets but would ghost straight through stars and planets.
There must be, otherwise the particle would fall through the centre of the Earth - and exhibit SHM.Ranku said:Just to clarify, given that the object is grounded and electrically neutral, is there any electrostatic interaction between the object and the ground?
Electromagnetic interactions are responsible for just about all of the bulk properties of any chunk of matter, including the object and the ground underneath it. These interactions are between the charged particles (electrons and atomic nuclei) that make up the matter and they are present even if the matter in bulk is electrically neutral (positive charges on nuclei balanced by equal number of negative charges from electrons).Ranku said:Just to clarify, given that the object is grounded and electrically neutral, is there any electrostatic interaction between the object and the ground?