From what I’ve read protons and electrons only are attracted to each other because they have opposite electric charges. What I don’t understand, though is that I’ve also read that both protons and electrons have a magnetic north and South Pole. If protons and electrons have a north and South Pole, then shouldn’t they repel each other when like poles are pointed at each other? Or, at least be less attracted to each other?
Electromagnetism – Do Protons and Electrons Have Magnetic Poles?
atomic-physicselectric-fieldselectromagnetismmagnetic fieldsmagnetic-moment
Best Answer
Yes, this exactly. But it's a very, very small effect compared to the electric force attracting them. This slight repulsion is one of the contributors to the so-called hyperfine structure, where a tiny energy difference is seen between atomic states depending on the spin and orbital angular momentum of the electrons relative to the nucleus.