Which two particles would be attracted to each other?
A. Electrons and neutrons
B. Electrons and protons
C. Protons and neutrons
D. All particles are attracted to each other
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is B. Electrons and protons.
Explanation:
Electrons and protons have opposite electrical charges. Electrons carry a negative charge, while protons carry a positive charge. According to the fundamental principles of electrostatics, opposite charges attract each other. This attraction is the force that keeps electrons bound around the nucleus of an atom, where protons reside.
Neutrons, on the other hand, are electrically neutral, meaning they have no charge. Because of this, neutrons do not exert an electrostatic attraction or repulsion on electrons or protons based on charge. However, neutrons do contribute to the overall stability of the nucleus through the strong nuclear force, which acts between protons and neutrons to hold the nucleus together despite the repulsive forces between positively charged protons.
Electrons repel other electrons because they have the same negative charge, and protons repel other protons because they have the same positive charge. Therefore, particles with like charges do not attract; they repel.
The only pair among the options given that exhibits a clear electrostatic attraction is electrons and protons. This attraction is crucial for the structure of atoms and the formation of matter as it allows electrons to orbit the nucleus, forming stable atoms.
In summary, the attraction between electrons and protons results from their opposite charges, making option B the correct choice.