Question

Which of the following pairs of particles will ATTRACT each other? Choose all that apply.

a. A proton & an electron
b. An electron and a negative ion
c. A proton & a +900 µC charge
d. A proton & a -900 µC charge

Answer 1

Pairs of particles that will attract each other include those with opposite charges such as a proton and an electron, an electron and a positive ion, and a proton and a -900 µC charge.

Step-by-step explanation:

The pairs of particles that will attract each other are those with opposite electric charges. Based on our understanding of basic electromagnetic interactions:

• A proton (positively charged) and an electron (negatively charged) will attract each other.
• An electron (negatively charged) and a positive ion will attract each other.
• A proton (positively charged) and a -900 µC (negatively charged) will attract each other.

However, a proton and a negative ion, both having like charges (negative), will not attract each other. Similarly, a proton and a +900 µC charge, both being positively charged, will also repel each other. Based on Coulomb's law, particles with opposite charges attract, while particles with like charges repel each other.