Physicists know that opposite charges attract and like charges repel. However, scientists at the University of Oxford now say this might not be always true. They have found that under certain conditions, like-charged particles can also attract each other. This research was published in the journal, “Nature Nanotechnology”.
The scientists made this discovery when they were studying charged particles in water. They found that negatively charged particles surprisingly attracted each other, forming clusters. Yet, positively charged particles did not.
They believe this is because there is a special force in water that causes these particles to attract each other. However, this force does not affect positively charged particles. Getting to observe this behavior was really exciting for the researchers.
But what happens if the particles are not in water? The scientists tried this by using alcohol instead. Interestingly, in alcohol, positively charged particles formed clusters, while negatively charged ones did not.
This study changes the way we understand charged particles. It can even help explain why some medicines and chemicals are stable or how diseases develop. The scientists were also able to measure the charge caused by the solvents. People used to think that was impossible.
The lead scientist, Professor Madhavi Krishnan, said she’s really proud of her team for making this discovery. She believes it is a significant change in physics.
Vocabulary List:
- Opposite charges (noun): Electric charges of different signs positive and negative charges.
- Repel (verb): To push away or force apart.
- Clusters (noun): Groups or bunches of things close together.
- Solvents (noun): Substances that dissolve other substances.
- Stable (adjective): Not likely to change or fail firmly established.
- Significant (adjective): Important or of consequence.
