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JML
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If positive and negative charges attract each other, why don't electrons just stick to the protons?
JML said:If positive and negative charges attract each other, why don't electrons just stick to the protons?
Electrons and protons have opposite charges, with electrons carrying a negative charge and protons carrying a positive charge. According to Coulomb's Law, opposite charges attract each other while like charges repel each other. This means that the negative electrons are attracted to the positive protons, but the repulsive force between the two charges prevents them from sticking together.
The concept of charge is essential in understanding why electrons don't stick to protons. Charge is a fundamental property of matter that determines how particles interact with each other. In the case of electrons and protons, their opposite charges result in an attractive force between them, but the repulsive force keeps them from sticking together.
In certain situations, electrons and protons can become bound together, forming an atom. In an atom, the electrons are held in orbit around the nucleus, which is made up of protons and neutrons. However, the electrons are constantly moving and are not physically attached to the protons. Additionally, the strong nuclear force between the protons and neutrons in the nucleus is what holds the atom together, not the attraction between electrons and protons.
The interaction between electrons and protons is governed by the electromagnetic force, which is one of the four fundamental forces in nature. This force is responsible for the attraction and repulsion between charged particles. In the case of electrons and protons, the electromagnetic force is what causes the attraction between their opposite charges and the repulsion between their like charges.
Understanding the relationship between electrons and protons is essential in understanding how matter behaves and how atoms are formed. It also has practical applications in fields such as electronics and chemistry. Additionally, this knowledge is crucial in understanding the behavior of particles in the universe, as all matter is made up of atoms, which are composed of electrons and protons.