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are protons manipulable?


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i guess manipulable isnt really a great word for it, more along the lines of controllable. in other words,

can you move them?

are they waves or particles?

im talking any kind of proton.

can we do anything with protons with the technology that we have now?

 

Actually, you probably have a bottle of protons in solution in your kitchen. A hydrogen ion (H+) is a proton, and the distinguishing characteristic of an acid (e.g., acetic acid, the acid found in vinegar) is that it releases an H+ in aqueous solution.

 

Can they be manipulated? Sure. Just use an electrical charge, or a magnetic field, or (in the case of an acid) put them in a bottle.

 

Are they waves or particles? Yes. ;) Both, simultaneously. "Particle" and "wave" are just different approximations of the same underlying reality.

 

Can we do anything with protons? Yep. They're good for making your salad dressing a bit more tart ;) Apart from chemical (and culinary) uses, and their obvious uses in particle accelerators (to study subatomic reactions), I think proton beams are used for microperforating certain materials.

 

Enjoy,

 

Grant

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oh, so thats how earth stops space radiation. ok, so. why dont we have electromagnets to stop space radiation for the trip to mars?Does it use too much energy? just put more solar panels all over the craft.

 

I am not sure but I would think one reason would be weight. I can't think of any magnets that would be strong enough but light enough to not significantly increase the payload. Then you have the extra weight for all those solar panels........ Finally, I am not sure we have built a magnet strong enough to significantly affect a high energy photon (the main ionizing radiation not stopped by the hull of the ship) over the distance of passing through the ship.

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