The hydrogen atom contains a proton and an electron seperated by about 5.0 x 10(-11) m. (the (-11) is supposed to be to the -11 power.)The mass of a proton is approx 1.7 x 10(-27) kg. (the (-27) means to the power of -27 also.) The mass of the electron is approx 9.0 x 10(-31)kg. (same thing as before(to the power)) The charge on a proton is 1.6 x 10(-19)C (same thing as before) and the charge on an electron is -1.6 x 10(-19) C.
Newton’s law of universal gravitation:
F(g)=(6.67 x 10(-11)power) x m1 x m2
(all this equation divided by r(2) (r squared)
Coulombs law:
F(e)=(9 x 10 (9) power) x q1 x q2
(all this equation divided by r(2) (r squared)
a) Use newtons law of universal gravitation to calculate the gravitational force between the electron and proton in the hydrogen atom.
b)Use Coulombs law to determine the force of attraction between the 2 particles.
c)Calculate the ratio between the electric force and the gravitational force. How import. are gravit. forces in this case?
Come on now this is a common sample problem to show you how the Coulomb force is so much LARGER than the gravitational force. You should do it yourself. It’s a matter a plugging in the Numbers in Coulomb’s Eq and then into Newton’s and forming a ratio.
It will show you that Gravitational forces are unimportant when calculation electrical forces between charged particles.
