A student asked, "Since the positive nucleus of the atom is hidden inside a negative electron cloud, why doesn't all matter appear to be negatively charged?" Explain to the student the flaw in this reasoning.

Short Answer

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The atom becomes neutral because of the polarization of both the positive and the negative charges. The electron is centrally located in the nucleus. However, if the electron is centrally positioned, the proton field will be canceled by the electrons and it will create its own field. Thus, the atom appears as a neutral atom rather than a negatively charged atom.

Step by step solution

01

Significance of the polarization

The polarization is described as the property of the electromagnetic radiations, that helps to relate specifically the magnitude and the direction of an electric field.

02

Explanation the student the flaw in this reasoning

The statement states that when a positive nucleus mainly hides inside a negative cloud of the electron, then the positive electron should also appear negatively but it works differently as in the atom, the nucleus and the electron cloud move to each other. However, the atom becomes neutral because of the polarization of both the positive and the negative charges. The electron is centrally located in the nucleus. However, if the electron is centrally positioned, the proton field will be canceled by the electrons and it will create its own field. Hence, the atom appears as a neutral atom rather than a negatively charged atom.

Thus, the atom becomes neutral because of the polarization of both the positive and the negative charges. The electron is centrally located in the nucleus. However, if the electron is centrally positioned, the proton field will be canceled by the electrons and it will create its own field. Hence, the atom appears as a neutral atom rather than a negatively charged atom.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The diagrams in Figure 14.98 show a sequence of events involving a small lightweight aluminum ball that is suspended from a cotton thread. In order to get enough information, you will need to read through the entire sequence of events described below before beginning to answer the questions. Before trying to select answers, you will need to draw your own diagrams showing the charge state of each object in each situation. (a) A small, lightweight aluminum ball hangs from a cotton thread. You touch the ball briefly with your fingers, then release it (Diagram 1 in Figure 14.98). Which of the diagrams in Figure 14.99 best shows the distribution of charge in and/or on the ball at this moment, using the diagrammatic conventions discussed in this chapter? (b) A block of metal that is known to be charged is now moved near the ball (Diagram 2 in Figure 14.98). The ball starts to swing toward the block of metal, as shown in Diagram 3 in Figure 14.98. Remember to read through the whole sequence before answering this question: Which of the diagrams in Figure 14.99 best shows the distribution of charge in and/or on the ball at this moment? (c) The ball briefly touches the charged metal block (Diagram 4 in Figure 14.98). Then the ball swings away from the block and hangs motionless at an angle, as shown in Diagram 5 in Figure 14.98. Which of the diagrams in Figure 14.99 best shows the distribution of charge in and/or on the ball at this moment? (d) Finally, the block is moved far away. A negatively charged rod is brought near the ball. The ball is repelled by the charged rod, as shown in Diagram 6 in Figure 14.98. Which of the diagrams in Figure 14.99 best shows the distribution of charge in and/or on the ball at this moment?

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A positive charge is located between a neutral block of plastic and a neutral block of copper (Figure 14.68). Draw the approximate charge distribution for this situation.

Explain briefly why the attraction between a point charge and a dipole has a different distance dependence for induced dipoles (1/r5 ) than for permanent dipoles (1/r3 ). (You need not explain either situation in full detail: just explain why there is this difference in their behavior.)

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