Table of Contents
Why do positively charged protons not repel each other?
Protons in nucleus no doubt are repelled by each other. But we know that an atom is stable. The reason for this is that the protons and the neutrons(together called nucleons) are attracted to each other by a strong for called nuclear force. This force acts only in the distances of orders of angstrom or picometre.
Why do positive protons stay together in the nucleus?
The strong nuclear force. At extremely short range, it is stronger than electrostatic repulsion, and allows protons to stick together in a nucleus even though their charges repel each other.
Is a nucleus attracted to a positive charge?
An atom contains protons, neutrons, and electrons. The nucleus of an atom consists of bound protons and neutrons (nucleons). The negatively charged electrons are attracted to the positively charged protons and fall around the nucleus, much like a satellite is attracted to the gravity of the Earth.
Why is the charge of the nucleus always positive?
The nucleus has an overall positive charge as it contains the protons. Every atom has no overall charge (neutral). This is because they contain equal numbers of positive protons and negative electrons. These opposite charges cancel each other out making the atom neutral.
Which is the weakest of the four fundamental forces?
Gravity
Gravity. Gravitation is by far the weakest of the four interactions at the atomic scale, where electromagnetic interactions dominate.
What force makes protons repel each other?
strong nuclear force
Inside the nucleus, the attractive strong nuclear force between protons outweighs the repulsive electromagnetic force and keeps the nucleus stable. Outside the nucleus, the electromagnetic force is stronger and protons repel each other.
Why are the protons in the nucleus not repelled by each other?
Since we know that like charges repel each other and the protons in the nucleus have equal and like charges, but they are held intogether instead of being repelled. Why? Protons in nucleus no doubt are repelled by each other. But we know that an atom is stable.
Why is the nucleus stable from electromangetic repulsion?
And hence the nucleus is stable from electromangetic repulsions due to the charge the protons carry. The electrostatic repulsion force is long-distance, and the nuclear attraction is short-distance. So, protons do repel, and this is precisely what makes really large nuclei unstable.
Why are two positive protons so close to each other?
Very good question! Looking at the electromagnetic forces, it would seem like two positive protons so close to each other should not be able to remain close together. However, electromagnetic forces are not the only forces at play! The strong nuclear force is responsible for holding together the nucleus.
Why does the nucleus travel closer to the electron?
As for your second question on the nucleus itself travelling to the electron, if you think in terms of the centre of mass, the nucleus has higher mass than the electron and so the centre of mass of the system would be closer to the nucleus than it is to the electron.