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All bodies are made of atoms. Atoms are composed of electrons, protons and neutrons.
Electrons, protons and neutrons have mass but only the electron and proton have charge. The proton is positively charged and the electron is negatively charged.
If we place two electrons (negatively charged both) at a "r" distance, they repel each other with a "F" force.
This force depends on the "r" distance between electrons and the charge of both. This "F" force is called: the Electrostatic Force.
If instead of electrons we use protons, there is also a force of repulsion, because the charges are equal. (both positive)
The force will change to attractive if, instead of using two elements equally charged, we use two elements with different charges. (An electron and a proton)
The Electrostatic force will be a force of attraction or a force of repulsion depending on the type of charges:
- Negative charge (e1) with negative charge (e2) repels
- Positive charge (P1) with positive charge (P2) repels
- Positive (P1) charge with negative charge (e2) attract each other
- An electron (e) with a neutron (N) does not generate any force
- A proton (P) with a neutron (N) does not generate any force
Remember that the neutron (N) is "neutral", it has no charge.
In conclusion:
Same charges repels each other,
different charges attract each other
Note: Protons and electrons have equal but oposite charges, however the mass of the proton is nearly 2000 times the mass of the electron.
Related Links
- Electric current
- Continuous or direct current
- Alternating current (AC)
- Properties of the alternating current
- Benjamin Franklin`s Fluid Theory
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