The discussion revolves around a proposed concept for a hydrogen fusion engine utilizing a thick steel hollow sphere filled with sulfuric acid and water. Participants explore the feasibility of manipulating hydrogen ions within the sphere through electric charges to achieve fusion, addressing both theoretical and practical aspects of the idea.
Participants express disagreement regarding the feasibility of the proposed method for achieving hydrogen fusion. There is contention over the implications of Gauss's law and the behavior of electric fields within the hollow sphere, with no consensus reached on the validity of the initial proposal.
The discussion highlights limitations in understanding the implications of electric fields in charged spheres and the assumptions made regarding ion behavior and fusion processes. Specific mathematical steps and definitions are not fully resolved.
Individuals interested in theoretical physics, electric fields, plasma physics, and fusion energy concepts may find this discussion relevant.
This is incorrect. As @dRic2 says, the electric field from a charged sphere is zero inside, and hence the force on a charge inside the sphere is zero. This is a standard result, the maths for which was done by Gauss over two centuries ago. See, for example, Wikipedia.Bruce Haawkins said:Please do the maths before you speak the charged particle has not gotten an even amount of cancelling forces on it. The forces only cancel right at the center of the sphere.
Wikipedia said:We can use Gauss's law to find the magnitude of the resultant electric field E at a distance r from the center of the charged shell. It is immediately apparent that for a spherical Gaussian surface of radius r < R the enclosed charge is zero: hence the net flux is zero and the magnitude of the electric field on the Gaussian surface is also 0
Bruce Haawkins said:Then remove the oxygen ions.
Bruce Haawkins said:then give the sphere a negative charge