Question

A typical atomic polarizability is 1 × 10-40 (C·m)/(N/C). If the q in p = qs is equal to the proton charge e, what charge separation s could you produce in a typical atom by applying

Answer 1

Answer:

s = 6.25 10⁻²² m

Explanation:

Polarizability is the separation of electric charges in a structure, in the case of the atom it is the result of the separation of positive charges in the nucleus and the electrons in their orbits, macroscopically it is approximated by

                p = q s

               s = p / q

let's calculate

              s = 1 10⁻⁴⁰ / 1.6 10⁻¹⁹

              s = 0.625 10⁻²¹ m

              s = 6.25 10⁻²² m

We see that the result is much smaller than the size of the atom, therefore this simplistic model cannot be taken to an atomic scale.