Is there a way to attract electrons to something?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MeanTomatoes
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Electrons
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of attracting electrons to an object for the purpose of power inhibition, exploring theoretical methods that do not damage equipment, akin to an electromagnetic pulse (EMP). Participants examine various ideas, including the use of magnets and other potential mechanisms.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose the idea of using magnets to attract electrons, although it is noted that magnets primarily deflect moving electrons rather than attract them.
  • There is a question about the location of electrons, with some suggesting they could be in connecting cables or flowing in wires.
  • One participant inquires whether it is possible to attract electrons from insulated wires, raising concerns about the thickness of insulation and the strength of the proposed attracting object.
  • Another participant suggests that increasing the attraction strength or compressing the distance could enhance the effectiveness of the proposed method.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the feasibility of the ideas presented, urging a better understanding of electrical principles before pursuing speculative systems.
  • A suggestion is made to create a positively charged object to influence current flow in a circuit.
  • One participant mentions the Hall Effect as a way magnets affect current flow, but expresses doubt about its practicality for the intended purpose.
  • A vacuum tube with electrical coils is proposed as a potential solution.
  • Another participant humorously suggests using liquid nitrogen to inhibit electrical function, noting that while components may survive, circuits would not operate.
  • It is clarified that a magnetic field affects only moving electrons and does not attract or repel them directly.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of ideas and skepticism, with no consensus reached on the feasibility or practicality of attracting electrons for power inhibition. Multiple competing views and approaches remain present throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in understanding the fundamental principles of electricity and magnetism, as well as the practical challenges associated with the proposed methods.

MeanTomatoes
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
At the moment, I'm interested in power inhibition. One of my goals is to find something that knocks out power that DOESN'T damage equipment, like an EMP. I had an idea to find a way to attract electrons to an object, such as a magnet. Does anyone know of anything?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
MeanTomatoes said:
At the moment, I'm interested in power inhibition. One of my goals is to find something that knocks out power that DOESN'T damage equipment, like an EMP. I had an idea to find a way to attract electrons to an object, such as a magnet. Does anyone know of anything?

Hi MeanTomatoes
This is a bit open ended, I think. What sort of thing did you have in mind?
You can't just inhibit electrical power from getting to a piece of equipment by just 'sucking all the electrons away and a magnet will not attract electrons. It will only deflect moving electrons.
 
Exactly! I'm aware of magnets DEFLECTING electrons; that's why I'm asking if there's an energy or an object or anything that can attract them.
 
Where are these electrons? Are they in the connecting cables?
 
Loose electrons, electrons flowing in wires, basically anywhere that electrons can be attracted. Is there a way to attract electrons from insulated wires, or does it depend on how thick the insulation is, and how powerful this "special magnet" (or whatever we may discover) is?
 
If this object isn't powerful enough, I could find something that increases the object's attraction strength. There could also possibly be a way to compress the distance while increasing the strength, if you know what I mean.
 
I'm afraid this doesn't make any sense. You need to sit and read about the way electricity works and get familiar with the facts before trying to invent new, speculative systems to do 'Science Fiction' things.
 
MeanTomatoes,
You know that if a simple DC circuit is energised then there is some "current" flowing from the voltage source (say, the battery) through the conducting wires, through the load (say a lamp) and back to the source. Since you want to interrupt this flow, why not open the conductive path with a switch? This normally does not damage the equipment.

As you must already know, electrons have a negative charge. Now, if you could create a large POSITIVELY charged object and place it near the conductor in the above example, do you expect that opposite charge would attract and or limit or stop the current flow?

Bobbywhy
 
At the moment, I'm interested in power inhibition.

Magnets affect current flow via something called Hall Effect. Read up on that. My opinion is it's wildly impractical for your purpose but you should decide for yourself.

Are you trying to shut off cellphones remotely?
Great idea but I think it's against the law.
 
  • #10
No, I am not trying to shut off cell phones remotely. :P

Also, I would expect the electrons to be attracted to the positive magnet.

I was also suggested a vacuum tube with two electrical coils. We'll see! c:
 
  • #11
Just drown it all in liquid nitrogen. Most electrical components will survive it, but most circuits won't work any more.
 
  • #12
A magnetic field only affects a moving electron - and then it applies a force perpendicular to both the electrons direction AND the magnetic field - so it does not attract or repel.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
5K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
21K
Replies
18
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
716
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
5K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K