In a classic model, the electron of a hydrogen atom circles the proton at a radius of 0.0529·10−9m when it is in the n=1 state. What is its electric potential energy?
To calculate the electric potential energy of the electron in a hydrogen atom, we can use the following formula:
Electric potential energy = - (electric potential constant) * (charge of the electron) * (charge of the proton) / (distance between the charges)
The electric potential constant is denoted by ke and its value is 8.99 × 10^9 N•m^2/C^2. The charge of an electron is approximately -1.6 × 10^-19 C, and the charge of a proton is approximately +1.6 × 10^-19 C.
In this case, the distance between the electron and the proton is given as 0.0529 × 10^-9 m.
Plugging these values into the formula, we get:
Electric potential energy = - (8.99 × 10^9 N•m^2/C^2) * (-1.6 × 10^-19 C) * (1.6 × 10^-19 C) / (0.0529 × 10^-9 m)
Simplifying this equation gives us the electric potential energy.