[Vay]

If there is a proton and an electron, both exerting their respective force fields; the electron radiates its force inwards, while the proton radiates its force outwards. So does that mean when the proton and the electron are placed side by side, the proton is "sucked" towards the electron? How does this work? Which one is being "sucked" in? Are both moving towards each other?

[DrRocket]

Vay, on 27 October 2011 - 11:39 PM, said:

If there is a proton and an electron, both exerting their respective force fields; the electron radiates its force inwards, while the proton radiates its force outwards. So does that mean when the proton and the electron are placed side by side, the proton is "sucked" towards the electron? How does this work? Which one is being "sucked" in? Are both moving towards each other?

Any charged particle has associated with it an electric field, which depends on the magnitude and sign of its charge. The charges on a proton and an electron are of equal magnitude but opposite sig.

Any charged particle in an electric field "feels" a force bthat is proportional to the strength of the field, proportional to the vharge on the partivcle and in a direction either of the applied field or opposite to it depending on the sign of the charge on the particle.

The electron and proton in your scenario each feel a force attracting them to the other particle, of equal magnitude. Because it is much more massive, the proton will move less than the electron, but each will move toward the other.

Once in motion, the charged particles will also create magnetic fields, and that too will result in forces on moving charged particles (Google "Lorentz Forcce").

There is no "sucking" going on.

This post has been edited by DrRocket: 27 October 2011 - 11:55 PM

[questionposter]

DrRocket, on 27 October 2011 - 11:52 PM, said:

Any charged particle has associated with it an electric field, which depends on the magnitude and sign of its charge. The charges on a proton and an electron are of equal magnitude but opposite sig.

Any charged particle in an electric field "feels" a force bthat is proportional to the strength of the field, proportional to the vharge on the partivcle and in a direction either of the applied field or opposite to it depending on the sign of the charge on the particle.

The electron and proton in your scenario each feel a force attracting them to the other particle, of equal magnitude. Because it is much more massive, the proton will move less than the electron, but each will move toward the other.

Once in motion, the charged particles will also create magnetic fields, and that too will result in forces on moving charged particles (Google "Lorentz Forcce").

There is no "sucking" going on.

From the way I understand it, wouldn't this "motion" make electrons and protons give off energy as accelerating charged particles makes them give off photons? And I also thought that the magnetic fields were generated by the spin of sub-atomic particles for some reason, even if they aren't classically spinning.