Could use some help on this e&m question

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the radius of an electron's orbit around a proton, given a 24-hour period of motion. The key equations involved are Coulomb's law for the electric force, which follows a 1/r² relationship, and the centripetal force equation F=mv²/r. The period T is related to angular velocity by T=2π/w, where w is the angular velocity in radians per second. By equating the centripetal force to the electric force and using the period to find angular velocity, one can derive the radius of the orbit.

PREREQUISITES
  • Coulomb's law for electric force
  • Centripetal force equation F=mv²/r
  • Angular velocity and its relationship to period T=2π/w
  • Basic principles of circular motion
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate angular velocity from the period using T=2π/w
  • Derive the radius using the relationship between centripetal force and electric force
  • Explore the implications of 1/r² forces in orbital mechanics
  • Study the differences between electric and gravitational forces in circular motion
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Students and educators in physics, particularly those studying electromagnetism and circular motion, as well as anyone interested in the dynamics of atomic structures.

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Hi, I've been trying to figure out this problem for a while now and I could use some help. The problem reads "An electron and proton attract each other with a [tex]1/r^2[/tex] electric force, just like the gravitational force. Suppose that an electron moves in a circular orbit about a proton. If the period of motion is 24 hours, what is the radius of the orbit?"

My train of thought so far has been that I would need to equate the [tex]1/r^2[/tex] to the equation for centripetal force [tex]F=mv^2/r[/tex], and solve that for r. I also know that the period comes into play, so I'm guessing that [tex]T=2\Pi r/v[/tex] would also be used somehow. However, I can't figure out how I would solve for the velocity just by plugging in the period to that equation, since they don't give us the value for the radius, and I need the value of the velocity to solve for the radius in the force equation. Am I on the right track or totally off?
 
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The electron and proton attract each other with a force that is propotional to [tex]1/r^2[/tex]. The actual force of attraction is given by coloumb's law.

You are on the right track by equating [tex]mv^2/r[/tex] and the force of attraction between the proton and electron.

Also, you do use [tex]T=2 \pi/w[/tex]. Use the fact that for a revolution of [tex]2 \pi[/tex] radians, it takes 24*3600 seconds. So what is the angular velocity in radians per second? You should get the answer from this.
 
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