College Physics (7th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32160-183-1
ISBN 13: 978-0-32160-183-4

Chapter 30 - Nuclear Reactions and Elementary Particles - Learning Path Questions and Exercises - Conceptual Questions - Page 1029: 16

Answer

When a proton interacts with another proton, the fundamental force involved is the electromagnetic force, which is responsible for the interaction between charged particles. Protons are both positively charged, so they experience an electromagnetic repulsion that pushes them apart. However, at very short distances, the strong nuclear force also comes into play and can overcome the electromagnetic repulsion, causing the protons to attract each other and form a nucleus. When an electron interacts with another electron, the fundamental force involved is also the electromagnetic force, since electrons are negatively charged. Like charges repel each other, so electrons experience an electromagnetic repulsion that pushes them apart. However, the electrons can also interact through the exchange of photons, which are the particles that mediate the electromagnetic force. This exchange can result in the electrons attracting each other if they are at the right distance and orientation, or repelling each other if they are too close or oriented in a certain way. In summary, the electromagnetic force is involved in both the interactions between protons and between electrons. The strong nuclear force also comes into play at short distances between protons, while the weak nuclear force is involved in certain types of particle interactions, such as beta decay.

Work Step by Step

When a proton interacts with another proton, the fundamental force involved is the electromagnetic force, which is responsible for the interaction between charged particles. Protons are both positively charged, so they experience an electromagnetic repulsion that pushes them apart. However, at very short distances, the strong nuclear force also comes into play and can overcome the electromagnetic repulsion, causing the protons to attract each other and form a nucleus. When an electron interacts with another electron, the fundamental force involved is also the electromagnetic force, since electrons are negatively charged. Like charges repel each other, so electrons experience an electromagnetic repulsion that pushes them apart. However, the electrons can also interact through the exchange of photons, which are the particles that mediate the electromagnetic force. This exchange can result in the electrons attracting each other if they are at the right distance and orientation, or repelling each other if they are too close or oriented in a certain way. In summary, the electromagnetic force is involved in both the interactions between protons and between electrons. The strong nuclear force also comes into play at short distances between protons, while the weak nuclear force is involved in certain types of particle interactions, such as beta decay.
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