Question

If two streams of protons move parallel to each other in the same direction, then they (a) Do not exert any force on each other (b) Repel each other (c) Attract each other (d) Get rotated to be perpendicular to each other.

Short answer

The correct answer is (b) Repel each other. This is because both streams of protons have positively charged particles, and according to Coulomb's Law, they exert a repulsive force on each other, pushing them apart.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the properties of protons

Protons are subatomic particles found in atoms and have a positive charge. In these two streams of protons, their positive charges would cause them to experience a force following Coulomb's law. This is important to determine how they would interact with one another.

Apply Coulomb's law

Coulomb's Law states that the force between two charged particles is proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. It can be represented mathematically as: \(F = k \frac{q1 \times q2}{r^2}\) where \(F\) is the force between the charges, \(k\) is the electrostatic constant, \(q1\) and \(q2\) are the charges of the particles, and \(r\) is the distance between them. Since both protons have a positive charge, the force expression above becomes: \(F = k \frac{( + q)( + q)}{r^2}\)

Determine the direction of the force

The force between the two streams of protons will be positive, which means that the force will be repulsive. This is due to the fact that both protons have positive charges, and like charges repel each other. Therefore, they exert a force on each other in the direction that pushes them apart.

Choose the correct answer

By understanding the properties of protons and their interaction through Coulomb's law, we can now select the correct answer: (a) Do not exert any force on each other: This is incorrect because protons have positive charges and will exert a repulsive force on each other. (b) Repel each other: This is the correct answer because like charges (both positive in this case) repel. (c) Attract each other: This is incorrect because like charges repel, not attract. (d) Get rotated to be perpendicular to each other: This is also incorrect because the force only pushes the protons apart and does not cause them to rotate. The correct answer is: (b) Repel each other.