Question

Compare the electric and gravitational force between the electron and the proton in a hydrogen atom. The electric charge of the electron is -1.60x10-19C and the same but positive for the proton. The electron’s mass is 9.11x10-31 kg, while the proton’s mass is 1.67x10-27kg. Assume the distance between them is 5.3x10-11 m

Answer 1

Explanation:

Electric force is the force acting between two charged particles. Electric force between electron and proton is given by :

$F=k\dfrac{q_1q_2}{r^2}$

Distance between them, $r=5.3\times 10^{-11}\ m$

$F=9\times 10^9\times \dfrac{-(1.6\times 10^{-19})^2}{(5.3\times 10^{-11}\ m)^2}$

$F=-8.2\times 10^{-8}\ N$

Gravitational force is the force acting between two masses. The gravitational force between the electron and proton is given by :

$F=G\dfrac{m_1m_2}{r^2}$

Distance between them, $r=5.3\times 10^{-11}\ m$

$F=6.67\times 10^{-11}\times \dfrac{9.11\times 10^{-31}\ kg\times 1.67\times 10^{-27}\ kg}{(5.3\times 10^{-11}\ m)^2}$

$F=3.61\times 10^{-47}\ N$

Hence, this is the required solution.