- #1
RandallB
- 1,550
- 0
I feel like this is something I should already know, but I don’t even know what to search for to find an explanation.
Solid pure metals like piece of Iron, Copper, or Nickel are made up of atoms all the same (Cu, Fe, or Ni). Each atom has a positive nucleus surrounded by a field of electrons. So at very close proximity the shell of electrons should serve to keep the atoms apart for the others. BUT what holds them to make the metal? What “force” holds the atoms tight together to make the metal as we see it.??
Couldn’t be gravity – much to weak at these levels.
Not the Strong force – that’s for inside the nucleus
Weak force – NO to weak and serves to overcome the strong in breaking a nucleus.
That leaves Electric or Magnetic.
Unless there’s another force I don’t know about it must be EM.
The same EM that keeps the atoms from getting to close to each other and repels the floor away from the bottom of my shoes forcefully enough to keep my weight from sinking into the floor.
So EM must also be doing something to keep the atoms together, tight enough to make the metal. HOW?
Is there a name for what’s going on so I can find a site that discusses or explains it?
(I bet it’s simple)
Thanks RB
Solid pure metals like piece of Iron, Copper, or Nickel are made up of atoms all the same (Cu, Fe, or Ni). Each atom has a positive nucleus surrounded by a field of electrons. So at very close proximity the shell of electrons should serve to keep the atoms apart for the others. BUT what holds them to make the metal? What “force” holds the atoms tight together to make the metal as we see it.??
Couldn’t be gravity – much to weak at these levels.
Not the Strong force – that’s for inside the nucleus
Weak force – NO to weak and serves to overcome the strong in breaking a nucleus.
That leaves Electric or Magnetic.
Unless there’s another force I don’t know about it must be EM.
The same EM that keeps the atoms from getting to close to each other and repels the floor away from the bottom of my shoes forcefully enough to keep my weight from sinking into the floor.
So EM must also be doing something to keep the atoms together, tight enough to make the metal. HOW?
Is there a name for what’s going on so I can find a site that discusses or explains it?
(I bet it’s simple)
Thanks RB