- #1
Seatl
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Why do like electrical charges repel and opposite charges attract? Is it to do with obtaining lower energy levels through movement?
The Reason Behind Electromagnetic Attraction & Repulsion
- Thread starter Seatl
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In summary, electrical charges exist as a fundamental concept in our universe and can only be positive or negative. This is due to the fact that like charges repel and opposite charges attract, which is explained by the electromagnetic interaction being described by vectors. This attraction and repulsion is also seen in gravity, which is described by a 2-tensor field. The concept of charge is difficult to explain on a more fundamental level and is simply a property that we observe in certain objects.
- #2
mezarashi
Homework Helper
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The real question would be, why do charges exist, and why only positive and negative? Why don't we have charge A, charge B, and charge C? This is something rather hard to answer and can be questioned indefinitely. You'll probably need to ask a string theorist :P
I believe we came to the discovery that if we take "charged" objects and put them close together they would repel. Sometimes they would attract. Then at one point, a stroke of genius hit man, and voila we have the positive and negative charge that repel like charges and attract opposites. It has nothing to do with lowering of energy. It's just a fundamental concept of our universe. Another question to you: why do masses attract each other? Why do masses exert gravity?
I believe we came to the discovery that if we take "charged" objects and put them close together they would repel. Sometimes they would attract. Then at one point, a stroke of genius hit man, and voila we have the positive and negative charge that repel like charges and attract opposites. It has nothing to do with lowering of energy. It's just a fundamental concept of our universe. Another question to you: why do masses attract each other? Why do masses exert gravity?
- #3
vanesch
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
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Seatl said:
In Zee, (QFT in a nutshell), there's a (slightly handwaving, but interesting) argument that explains that the deep origin of this effect is due to the electromagnetic interaction being described by vectors. This gives rise to like charges repelling (and hence opposite charges attracting). A 2-tensor field, such as gravity in GR, according to the same argument, turns out to be attractive for like "charges".
- #4
Claude Bile
Science Advisor
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Charge is one of those fundamental concepts you can't really explain on a more fundamental level, it is simply a property that we observe some objects to possess. While charged particles will act to minimise their energy, this fact does not explain why a particular action ought to minimise its energy (I hope that makes sense 
).
Claude.
).Claude.
FAQ: The Reason Behind Electromagnetic Attraction & Repulsion
What is electromagnetic attraction & repulsion?
Electromagnetic attraction and repulsion refers to the forces between electrically charged particles. Like charges (positive and positive or negative and negative) repel each other, while opposite charges (positive and negative) attract each other.
What causes electromagnetic attraction & repulsion?
Electromagnetic attraction and repulsion are caused by the exchange of virtual particles, called photons, between charged particles. These photons carry the electromagnetic force and mediate the interaction between the particles.
How does distance affect electromagnetic attraction & repulsion?
The strength of the electromagnetic force decreases as the distance between charged particles increases. This means that the force of attraction or repulsion will be weaker if the particles are further apart, and stronger if they are closer together.
How is electromagnetic attraction & repulsion related to electricity and magnetism?
The electromagnetic force is one of the four fundamental forces of nature, along with gravity, strong nuclear force, and weak nuclear force. Electricity and magnetism are both forms of the electromagnetic force, with electricity referring to the flow of charged particles and magnetism referring to the interaction of moving charged particles.
Can electromagnetic attraction & repulsion be explained by classical physics?
No, the behavior of charged particles and the electromagnetic force cannot be fully explained by classical physics. The principles of quantum mechanics are needed to fully understand the behavior of particles at the atomic and subatomic level, including the phenomena of electromagnetic attraction and repulsion.