Can a Charge Repel a Neutral Object?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of a charged object repelling a neutral object, exploring theoretical concepts and potential applications. Participants examine the nature of electromagnetic forces, the concept of repulsive forces, and the feasibility of creating devices that could achieve such effects.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that positive and negative charges attract neutral charges, while others argue that neutral charges do not experience electromagnetic forces.
  • There is speculation about the possibility of building devices that could repel any kind of object, with references to magnetic forces and the need for constant destabilization of magnetic fields.
  • One participant questions whether a repulsive force akin to 'anti-gravity' could exist, noting that gravity is generally an attractive force and exploring other fundamental forces.
  • Another participant mentions the concept of a solar sail as a potential analogy for momentum transfer rather than direct repulsion.
  • There is a suggestion that a force field could be created to repel objects, with the idea that it might not affect lighter atoms, although this remains speculative.
  • One participant introduces the notion of negative gravity and the requirement for exotic matter with negative mass to achieve such effects.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether a charged object can repel a neutral object, with no consensus reached on the feasibility of creating a repulsive force or device. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing ideas presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in current understanding of forces, particularly regarding electromagnetic interactions with neutral objects and the speculative nature of proposed mechanisms like negative gravity.

Spectrum90
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Hi.

Positive charges atract negative charges, and repel positive ones.
Same thing happens with negative charges.
But both of them atract Neutral Charges.

Is there any way for any charge to repel a neutral object?

If it is, then is it possible to build any device that uses that kind of knowlegde to repel any object with a big force when triggered?
 
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Spectrum90 said:
But both of them atract Neutral Charges.
No they do not. A neutral charge does not experience any electromagnetic force.
 
Well but isn't it possible to build something that repels any kind of object?
Isn't there a force, a radiation something?
Magnetic force is a possibility but to make it repel metal that it's not magnetized, the magnetic field would need to be on a constant destabilization.
 
I'm not sure what you mean by a repulsive force.
Are you looking for something like 'anti-gravity', which could exert a force on *any* object, thus accelerating it, without actually being in contact with it?
Electromagnetic effects, as you pointed out, can only apply to objects which have a magnetic field.
Gravity appears to only work as an attractive force.
That leaves the strong and weak nuclear forces, and I can't think how those might provide such a mechanism.
 
Last edited:
@Berkman
Yes the solar sail *might* fall into this category, but it's basically just transferring of momentum isn't it?
In principal the same thing as accelerating a ball by hitting it with a bat.
 
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I mean if it's possible to create a force field where objects that come with a certain speed can be stopped or slowed by entering that same force field, it may seem to much fiction, but i believe that it is possible.
In other words, it's repelling objects that come near the same force we are talking.
A magnetic force on non magnetized metals is the most obvious but it only works on metals that can be affected be magnetism.
I wanted something that could maintain all kinds of objects away.
Indeed a stable atmosphere inside that force field is possible since that same force field could not affect the lighter atoms like Oxigen, Carbon and Hidrogen.
 
It does seem very much like you are seeking for something like negative gravity.
I think that implies you would need to have a substance with a negative mass! - which is very exotic matter to say the least of it.
 

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