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Calculate the polarizability "a(lpha)" of atomic hydrogen in terms of R
A simplified model of a hydrogen atom is that the electron cloud is a sphere of radius R with uniform charge density and total charge -e (The actual charge density in the ground state is nonuniform).
For a the uniform-density model, calculate the polarizability, "a" (alpha), of atomic hydrogen in terms of R. Consider the case where the magnitude E of the applied electric field is much smaller than the electric field required to ionized the atom. (Imagine that the hydrogen atom is inside a capacitor whose uniform field polarizes but does not accelerate the atom. Consider forces on the proton in the equilibrium situation, where the proton is displaced a distance s from the center of the electron cloud (s << R in the diagram).)
None provided nor hinted by the textbook but these are the only relevant equations I could think of:
Electrcfield due to spherical shell = k*(Q/r^2)
p = aE
For one thing, I was never able to understand how polarizability of hydrogen can in anyway be dependent on the atom's radius R. From every way I draw out the diagram and showing any causes that could be responsible for shifting the proton's position, I could only arrive at the following conclusion: that there must be an applied electricfield. And in order for the shifted position to be static in place, the proton must also feel an opposite force contributed by the dipole electricfield which resulted from the atom's polarization.
Please guide me to the mathematical relationship between R and the polarizability.
Homework Statement
A simplified model of a hydrogen atom is that the electron cloud is a sphere of radius R with uniform charge density and total charge -e (The actual charge density in the ground state is nonuniform).
For a the uniform-density model, calculate the polarizability, "a" (alpha), of atomic hydrogen in terms of R. Consider the case where the magnitude E of the applied electric field is much smaller than the electric field required to ionized the atom. (Imagine that the hydrogen atom is inside a capacitor whose uniform field polarizes but does not accelerate the atom. Consider forces on the proton in the equilibrium situation, where the proton is displaced a distance s from the center of the electron cloud (s << R in the diagram).)
Homework Equations
None provided nor hinted by the textbook but these are the only relevant equations I could think of:
Electrcfield due to spherical shell = k*(Q/r^2)
p = aE
The Attempt at a Solution
For one thing, I was never able to understand how polarizability of hydrogen can in anyway be dependent on the atom's radius R. From every way I draw out the diagram and showing any causes that could be responsible for shifting the proton's position, I could only arrive at the following conclusion: that there must be an applied electricfield. And in order for the shifted position to be static in place, the proton must also feel an opposite force contributed by the dipole electricfield which resulted from the atom's polarization.
Please guide me to the mathematical relationship between R and the polarizability.
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