Question

In an experiment in space, one proton is held fixed and another proton is released from rest a distance of 1.00 mm away. part a what is the initial acceleration of the proton after it is released

Answer 1

We can use Coulomb's law to find the force F acting on the proton that is released. F = k x Q1 x Q2 / r^2 k = 9 x 10^9 Q1 is the charge on one proton which is 1.6 x 10^{-19} C Q2 is the same charge on the other proton r is the distance between the protons F = (9x10^9) x (1.6 x 10^{-19} C) x (1.6 x 10^{-19} C) / (10^{-3})^2 F = 2.304 x 10^{-22} N We can use the force to find the acceleration. F = ma a = F / m a = (2.304 x 10^{-22} N) / (1.67 x 10^{-27} kg) a = 1.38 x 10^5 m/s^2 The initial acceleration of the proton is 1.38 x 10^5 m/s^2