We can see how the positively charged protons repell one another in the atoms' nuclues, but what mechanism is at work whereby they repell up to a distance then attract one another again?
2006-10-07 06:32:57 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
In the theory of 'Island of Stability' The hypothesis is that the atomic nucleus is built up in "shells" in a manner similar to the electron shells in atoms. The nucleus is not a glob of particles trying to destroy themselves, but a organized 'quantum' dance of concentric cirlces.
2006-10-07 07:09:07 · update #1
It is well known nowadays that the proton is not an elementary particle like the electron. It is actually composed of 3 quarks, and the quarks are held together via the "Strong" force, which is thousands of times stronger than the electromagnetic force.
So at large distances (>>10^-13 cm) 2 "protons" will only feel the resulsive electromagnetic force, but if you are able to bring the 2 "protons" close enough (~10^-13 cm), then the "Strong" force between the quarks takes over and the 2 "protons" will attract and stay together.
The particle mediating the "Strong" force is called gluons (not some meson...I really don't know where these people get their information from). By "mediating", I mean that's how the "Strong" force is communicated between 2 quarks. Between electrons or any charged particles, it is photons that mediate the electromagnetic force. For gravity, the mediating particle is gravitons, and for the Weak force, it is the W and Z Bosons.
2006-10-07 06:53:29 · answer #1 · answered by PhysicsDude 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Protons Attract Other Protons
2017-01-19 13:49:00 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Strong and weak atomic forces hold the nucleus of an atom togther. These are two of the four fundamental forces of physics: weak and strong, electro-magnetic, and gravity. Check this out:
"Before the 1970s, when protons and neutrons were thought to be fundamental particles, the phrase "strong force" was what is today known as the nuclear force or the residual strong force. What were being observed were the "residual" effects of the strong force, which act on hadrons, both baryons and mesons. This force was postulated to overcome the electric repulsion between protons in the nucleus, and for its strength (at short distances) it was dubbed the "strong force". After the discovery of quarks, scientists realized that the force was actually acting upon the quarks and gluons making up the protons, not the protons themselves. For some time after this realization, the older notion was referred to as the residual strong force, and the "new" strong interaction was called colour force." [See source.]
As protons are plus charged, the strong force has to overcome their tendency to repel each other because of those positive charges. Also, keep in mind the strong force actually acts on the quarks and gluons that make up protons; not the protons themselves. Its like the strong force acts on each brick rather than the whole building; and there are a lot of bricks in each proton.
2006-10-07 06:46:55 · answer #3 · answered by oldprof 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They don't. A nucleus containing two or more protons is stable because of the "strong" force, which at short distances overwhelms the electrostatic repulsion that the protons have for each other. Evidently, neutrons are necessary to help this force, as there are no stable atoms containing two or more protons that do not have at least one neutron.
2006-10-07 06:38:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is a very strong force known as the "Nuclear Force" that holds protons together in the nucleus. It only acts where protons are EXTREMELY close together. You can find more about this force on Wikipedia.
2006-10-07 06:37:17 · answer #5 · answered by yoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyoyo 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The do you attract, they are like charges and repel. The reason they are bound to the nucleus of an atom is the "strong" forces and the assistance of the neutrons.
2006-10-07 07:00:50 · answer #6 · answered by Buzlite 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Protons attract each other through the "Residual Strong Force." They don't actually participate in the Strong Interaction because they don't exchange Gluons, but attract none-the-less indirectly via. the Strong Force.
2006-10-07 07:20:31 · answer #7 · answered by entropy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
And what would ensue if protons and electrons repelled one yet another? The nucleus ceases to be. What does that mean? Stand, bend over, place your lips on your glutes and kiss them see you later. You 'bout to fry.
2016-12-16 03:50:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is a force called the strong force which holds them together in the nucleus.
2006-10-08 05:12:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well they don't actual attract each other [they both have +ve charge], don't they????? , there are some things called mesons jumping from one proton to other and balancing the repletion
2006-10-07 06:52:36 · answer #10 · answered by ishaan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋