If the gravitational force between the electron (9.11 ✕ 10-31 kg) and the proton (1.67 ✕ 10-27 kg) in a hydrogen atom is 1.06 ✕ 10-47 N, how far apart are the two particles?
To find the distance between the electron and the proton in a hydrogen atom, we can use the formula for gravitational force:
F = (G * m1 * m2) / r^2
Where:
F is the gravitational force between the two particles,
G is the gravitational constant (6.67430 × 10^-11 m³ kg^−1 s^−2),
m1 is the mass of the first particle (electron),
m2 is the mass of the second particle (proton), and
r is the distance between the two particles.
We are given the following values:
m1 = 9.11 × 10^-31 kg,
m2 = 1.67 × 10^-27 kg,
F = 1.06 × 10^-47 N.
Rearranging the formula, we get:
r = sqrt((G * m1 * m2) / F)
Substituting the given values, we can calculate the distance between the two particles.
See the replies to your question below.
By the way this question is a bit misleading. The ELECTRICAL force between the electron and proton, not gravity, is the thing that keeps the electron in orbit around the proton (ignoring modern physics, quantum mechanics)