When 1 material is rubbed against another, electrons jump readily from one to the other but protons don't. Why

Answer 1

The short answer for why protons are not transferred from one material to another is because protons are located in the nucleus of an atom. Inside the nucleus are very strong forces that hold all the protons and neutrons together. In order to move a proton, the nucleus must be destroy. This process is commonly called nuclear fission. Be very thankful protons do not move from one material to another, otherwise the materials you rub together would explode.

Electrons are capable of movement because they are not bound in a nucleus like protons (and neutrons!). Electrons freely revolve around the nucleus instead. Often times, these electrons are not bound to one nucleus and instead are shared by all the atoms of a material as a whole (this is called an "Electron sea"). When another material is rubbed against it, the electrons are "scraped" off and they move to the 2nd material, creating a negative charge on the material (Electrons always carry a negative charge. When excess electrons build up, the charge on the material becomes negative as well.).

Answer 2

Protons are at least 1800 times the size of electrons. In addition, protons are found in the nucleus of atom, while electrons travel on the outside of the nucleus.

A common analogy is that the protons make up (along with neutrons) is the sun of the galaxy, while electrons are the planets that travel around the sun. While this analogy is not entirely correct (electrons are more like gaseous comets), but enough to get the point across.

Rob

Answer 3

Electrons exist in outter shells in the atomic structure. It is much easier for an electron to jump to another object than it is for a proton.

Protons exist alongside the neutrons in the inner area of an atom. The force exerted on the protons by the atom to stay in place is much larger than that exerted on the electrons to stay in orbit.

Therefore, if the impulse is great enough, electrons can much easier jump from the pull of the atom onto another object.

Answer 4

Protons are held to the nucleus by the strong nuclear force. Electrons are held by the electrostatic (Coulombic) force, which is much weaker at atomic-scale (rather than nuclear-scale) distances. Further, this electrostatic effect is diminished by the shielding effect of the electrons in the inner shells. Electrons in the outer shell (valence band) are thus relatively free to move.

Answer 5

protons are in the nuclei of atoms, tightly bonded together with each other and with neutrons. electrons are much smaller particles orbitting at high speeds on the outer edge of atoms, and so it's a lot easier for them to leap from place to place. it takes a lot of energy to split up an atom. the number of protons in an atom determines what kind of element it is...two protons make up the difference between oxygen and carbon. what if we breathed in oxygen and all of a sudden it rubbed up against our throat, dropped off two protons, and turned into carbon? the universe would be a much different place if that kind of thing happened all the time. guess i went a little overboard but it's kind of an interesting topic...

Answer 6

The protons are in the nucleus. The electrons in clouds have more mobility.

Answer 7

the bond with neutrons is too strong