A metal plate infused with excess electrons will attract a proton placed nearby?
yes
Yes, a metal plate infused with excess electrons will attract a proton placed nearby. This is because of the fundamental principle of electrostatics, which states that opposite charges attract each other.
When a metal plate is infused with excess electrons, it becomes negatively charged. Electrons carry a negative charge, so when there is an excess of them on the plate, it results in a net negative charge.
A proton, on the other hand, carries a positive charge. Since opposite charges attract, the negatively charged metal plate will attract the positively charged proton.
This attraction occurs due to the electric field created by the excess electrons on the metal plate. The electric field extends into the surrounding space and interacts with the positive charge of the proton, pulling it towards the plate.
To observe and understand this phenomenon, you can perform a simple experiment. Take a metal plate, such as an aluminum plate, and charge it with excess electrons using a power source or by rubbing it with a material that easily transfers electrons (e.g., a wool cloth). Then, place a small proton source, such as a positively charged object or a subatomic particle emitter, near the plate. You will observe that the proton is attracted to the charged metal plate.
It's important to note that this phenomenon is not limited to protons. Any positively charged object or particle will be attracted to a negatively charged metal plate infused with excess electrons due to the principle of electrostatic attraction.