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Chapter 21: Problem 18

How is it possible for one electrically neutral atom to exert an electrostatic force on another electrically neutral atom?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: A neutral atom can exert an electrostatic force on another neutral atom due to charge polarization or induced charges in both atoms. This causes temporary electric dipoles to form, which attract one another, resulting in the electrostatic force between the two neutral atoms. This force is also known as the van der Waals force or London dispersion force.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the electrically neutral atoms

An electrically neutral atom is an atom in which the total number of protons (+ve charge) is equal to the total number of electrons (-ve charge). Therefore, the net charge in a neutral atom is zero.
02

Discuss electrostatic force

Electrostatic force is the force that exists between charged particles or objects due to Coulomb's law: F = k * (q1 * q2) / r^2, where F is the electrostatic force, k is a constant, q1 and q2 are the charges of the two particles or objects, and r is the distance between them.
03

Introduce charge polarization or induced charges

Charge polarization or induced charges occur when the electron distribution in a neutral atom is distorted in the presence of an external electric field, such as that created by another nearby charged particle or object. This distortion causes the atom to develop a temporary electric dipole, where one side of the atom becomes slightly positively charged and the other side becomes slightly negatively charged.
04

Explain the interaction between dipoles

When two temporary electric dipoles are near each other, their positive and negative sides can attract, causing an electrostatic force to exist between them. This electrostatic force is known as the van der Waals force or London dispersion force, and it is weak but significant when atoms are in close proximity.
05

Conclusion

In conclusion, a neutral atom can exert an electrostatic force on another neutral atom due to charge polarization or induced charges in both atoms. This causes temporary electric dipoles to form, which attract one another, resulting in the electrostatic force between the two neutral atoms.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Two point charges lie on the \(x\) -axis. If one point charge is \(6.0 \mu C\) and lies at the origin and the other is \(-2.0 \mu C\) and lies at \(20.0 \mathrm{~cm}\), at what position must a third charge be placed to be in equilibrium?

In general, astronomical objects are not exactly electrically neutral. Suppose the Earth and the Moon each carry a charge of \(-1.00 \cdot 10^{6} \mathrm{C}\) (this is approximately correct; a more precise value is identified in Chapter 22 ). a) Compare the resulting electrostatic repulsion with the gravitational attraction between the Moon and the Earth. Look up any necessary data. b) What effects does this electrostatic force have on the size, shape, and stability of the Moon's orbit around the Earth?

A negative charge, \(-q\), is fixed at the coordinate (0,0) It is exerting an attractive force on a positive charge, \(+q,\) that is initially at coordinate \((x, 0)\). As a result, the positive charge accelerates toward the negative charge. Use the binomial expansion \((1+x)^{n} \approx 1+n x,\) for \(x \ll 1,\) to show that when the positive charge moves a distance \(\delta \ll x\) closer to the negative charge, the force that the negative charge exerts on it increases by \(\Delta F=2 k q^{2} \delta / x^{3}\) .

A metal plate is connected by a conductor to a ground through a switch. The switch is initially closed. A charge \(+Q\) is brought close to the plate without touching it, and then the switch is opened. After the switch is opened, the charge \(+Q\) is removed. What is the charge on the plate then? a) The plate is uncharged. b) The plate is positively charged. c) The plate is negatively charged. d) The plate could be either positively or negatively charged, depending on the charge it had before \(+Q\) was brought near.

When you exit a car and the humidity is low, you often experience a shock from static electricity created by sliding across the seat. How can you discharge yourself without experiencing a painful shock? Why is it dangerous to get back into your car while fueling your car?
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