what electric field strength would be required to suspend an alpha particle? (contains 2 protons and 2 neutrons) The answer should be 2.05 x 10^-7 N/C.
I am not given distance so I am not sure how I should solve this particle problem.
gravity pulls down , the electric field pushes up
find the weight and charge of the α-particle
the field strength is Newtons per Coulomb
... the electric force equals the gravitational force
charge * field strength = m * g
To determine the electric field strength required to suspend an alpha particle (containing 2 protons and 2 neutrons), you need to understand the principles of electrostatic forces.
The electrostatic force acting on a charged particle can be calculated using Coulomb's law:
F = k * (q1 * q2) / r^2
where F is the electrostatic force, k is the electrostatic constant (8.99 x 10^9 N m^2/C^2), q1 and q2 are the charges of the interacting particles, and r is the distance between them.
In this case, the alpha particle has a charge of +2e, where e is the elementary charge (1.60 x 10^-19 C). Therefore, the force required to counteract the force of gravity acting on the alpha particle can be expressed as:
F = k * (2e * q2) / r^2
To suspend the alpha particle, the net force acting on it should be zero. In this case, the force of gravity is balanced by the electrostatic force:
mg = k * (2e * q2) / r^2
Here, m represents the mass of the alpha particle, and g is the acceleration due to gravity.
Since you are not given the distance (r) or the mass (m) of the alpha particle, it is not possible to solve for the exact value. However, if you have been given reference values for these parameters, you can substitute those values into the equation to solve for the electric field strength (E).
E = k * (2e * q2) / (m * g * r^2)
If the value you provided (2.05 x 10^-7 N/C) is indeed the correct answer, it suggests that the distance (r) and the mass (m) of the alpha particle have been provided, and you can use those values to verify the electric field strength.