Author ORCID Identifier
0009-001-7109-9103
Document Type
Working Paper
Publication Title
On Static Equilibrium State Of An Electron-Positron Pair Interacting By Electrostatic And Magnetic Forces
Abstract
An electron-positron pair can be in static equilibrium where the magnetic torque is zero and the attractive Coulomb’s force between unlike charges and the repelling force between the spin magnetic moments of these two particles balance each other out. An electron-positron pair near the equilibrium position can be modeled as an oscillator consisting of two masses on a spring. The calculations of the equilibrium distance, the effective “electromagnetic spring constant”, and the frequency of oscillations of an electron-positron pair near the equilibrium are presented. The calculations might be useful for the students in their studies of electricity, magnetism, and particle physics. The same approach can be used for other compositions of particles that possess both properties – the electric charge and the magnetic moment, such as quarks. Introducing students to open-ended problems as part of their physics curriculum is integral for supporting conceptual learning. Such problems need to provide opportunities to apply what students already know and are capable of to explore novel questions. This could provide immense value to helping students not just “learn physics concepts” but to start developing a mindset of curiosity and experimentation.
Publication Date
3-4-2025
Recommended Citation
Perov, Polievkt and Perova-Mello, Natasha, "On Static Equilibrium State Of An Electron-Positron Pair Interacting By Electrostatic And Magnetic Forces" (2025). College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Works. 28.
https://dc.suffolk.edu/cas-faculty/28
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Included in
Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Commons, Elementary Particles and Fields and String Theory Commons
Comments
Note: In the original variant of this paper, ref 6, the numerical coefficient in the equation for the magnetic force between an electron and a positron in the pair was incorrect, and that mistake has been corrected in the current variant, (see eq. (4)). The calculations based on that equation were corrected accordingly. Also, in the current variant of the paper we say explicitly that electron and positron are considered as structureless point charges -e and +e, so the electrostatic force between them is a central force that does not create any torque on the particles in the pair.