Chapter 6: Problem 45
Which charged particle is free to move within the body as well as from one body to another body?
Short Answer
Expert verified
Answer: Electrons
Step by step solution
01
Background knowledge
The atoms consist of a nucleus containing protons (positively charged) and neutrons (neutral charge), while electrons (negatively charged) are present in orbitals surrounding the nucleus.
02
Movement of protons
Protons are held tightly in the nucleus due to the strong nuclear force. As a result, they cannot move freely within the body or between bodies in normal conditions.
03
Movement of electrons
Electrons, on the other hand, are present in the orbitals outside the nucleus. They can move between orbitals, and in some conditions, they can also be removed from the atom, making them free to move within the body. Electrons can also move from one body to another when a transfer of charge occurs (such as in the case of static electricity or through the conduction of electric current).
04
Conclusion
Based on the analysis, electrons are the charged particles that are free to move within the body and between bodies.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Electrons and Electric Current
Electric current is essentially a flow of electric charge, and in many cases, it is carried by moving electrons. In conductive materials, such as metals, the outer electrons of the atoms are not bound to any particular atom and can move freely through the material.
This movement of loosely bound electrons is what we harness as electric current in circuits. When a voltage is applied across a conductive material, it creates an electric field that pushes the electrons, causing them to flow from the negative terminal to the positive terminal of a power source. It's important to understand that while the electrons move relatively slowly, the electric field that drives them moves at close to the speed of light, enabling rapid electrical signaling.
This movement of loosely bound electrons is what we harness as electric current in circuits. When a voltage is applied across a conductive material, it creates an electric field that pushes the electrons, causing them to flow from the negative terminal to the positive terminal of a power source. It's important to understand that while the electrons move relatively slowly, the electric field that drives them moves at close to the speed of light, enabling rapid electrical signaling.
Movement of Electrons
Electrons are subatomic particles with a negative charge that are found in all atoms. These tiny particles are in constant motion, orbiting around the nucleus in defined patterns called orbitals.
Their ability to move is crucial in the formation of bonds between atoms and the conduction of electricity. In conductive materials, these electrons can move more freely due to the structure of the material, allowing them to jump from one atom to the next. This transfer and movement of electrons is what enables an electric current to flow through such a material. Understanding the conditions that allow electrons to move is fundamental for studying electrical and electronic engineering.
Their ability to move is crucial in the formation of bonds between atoms and the conduction of electricity. In conductive materials, these electrons can move more freely due to the structure of the material, allowing them to jump from one atom to the next. This transfer and movement of electrons is what enables an electric current to flow through such a material. Understanding the conditions that allow electrons to move is fundamental for studying electrical and electronic engineering.
Protons and the Nucleus
Protons are positively charged particles located within the nucleus of an atom. Unlike electrons, protons are bound together by the strong nuclear force, which is one of the four fundamental forces of nature, and is what holds the nucleus itself together.
Because of this strong force, protons do not have the same freedom of movement that electrons do. Their position within the nucleus remains quite fixed under normal conditions, and it takes a significant amount of energy, such as that from nuclear reactions, to displace them. The stability of protons in the nucleus is a backbone of the periodic table and chemical behavior of elements, making the understanding of their properties crucial for chemistry and physics studies.
Because of this strong force, protons do not have the same freedom of movement that electrons do. Their position within the nucleus remains quite fixed under normal conditions, and it takes a significant amount of energy, such as that from nuclear reactions, to displace them. The stability of protons in the nucleus is a backbone of the periodic table and chemical behavior of elements, making the understanding of their properties crucial for chemistry and physics studies.
Conductivity and Charge Transfer
Conductivity is a measure of how well a material can allow the flow of electric charge. This property is essential to many aspects of physics and technology, from the domestic use of electricity to the operation of computers.
The ability of a material to conduct electric current relies on the ease with which charged particles, particularly electrons, can move through it. In metallic conductors, for example, a sea of delocalized electrons facilitates this movement, enabling charge transfer. Insulators, on the other hand, have tightly bound electrons that cannot move freely, impeding conductivity. Semiconductors fall in between, with their conductivity being adjustable through doping and exposure to light or heat, playing a critical role in modern electronics.
The ability of a material to conduct electric current relies on the ease with which charged particles, particularly electrons, can move through it. In metallic conductors, for example, a sea of delocalized electrons facilitates this movement, enabling charge transfer. Insulators, on the other hand, have tightly bound electrons that cannot move freely, impeding conductivity. Semiconductors fall in between, with their conductivity being adjustable through doping and exposure to light or heat, playing a critical role in modern electronics.