Solve Columb's Law Problem: Helium Nucleus & Proton Acceleration

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In summary, the problem involves a helium nucleus with 2 protons and 1 neutron, stripped of its electrons, being 0.03 mass from a single proton. The question asks for the direction and amount of acceleration of the proton. The relevant equations are acceleration= force net/ mass and force= Kq1 xKq2 / r^2, where K is a constant, q1 is the charge of one object, q2 is the charge of another object, and r is the distance between the centers of each charged mass. It is unclear which objects are being referred to as q1 and q2. A figure may be helpful in understanding the problem.
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Homework Statement


A helium nucleus ( 2 protons and 1 neutron stripped of its electrons is 0.03 mass from a single proton. What is the direction and amount of the acceleration of the proton?

Homework Equations


acceleration= force net/ mass
force= Kq1 xKq2 / r^2
K is constant
q1 is the charge of one object
q2 is the charge of another object
r is the distance between the centers of each charged mass

The Attempt at a Solution


My guess is charge of 2 protons is q1 and charge of 1 neutron is q2.
Can somebody help me with this problem?
 
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Welcome to the PF. :smile:
neelu said:
A helium nucleus ( 2 protons and 1 neutron stripped of its electrons is 0.03 mass from a single proton. What is the direction and amount of the acceleration of the proton?
Sorry, but the problem statement contains some typos and is hard for me to follow. Could you please try again, and include any figure that comes with the problem? You can Upload PDF and JPEG images using the UPLOAD button in the lower right of the edit window. Thanks. :smile:
 

1. What is Coulomb's Law?

Coulomb's Law is a fundamental principle in physics that describes the electrostatic force between two charged particles. It states that the force is directly proportional to the product of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

2. How do I solve a Coulomb's Law problem?

To solve a Coulomb's Law problem, you will need to know the charges of the particles involved, the distance between them, and the value of the Coulomb constant (k). Then, you can use the formula F = k(q1*q2)/r^2 to calculate the force between the particles.

3. What is the significance of the Helium nucleus in Coulomb's Law problems?

The Helium nucleus (also known as an alpha particle) is often used in Coulomb's Law problems because it has a charge of +2e, which makes it easier to work with mathematically. It also has a relatively large mass, making it easier to observe and measure in experiments.

4. How does proton acceleration relate to Coulomb's Law?

Proton acceleration is directly related to Coulomb's Law because the electrostatic force between two particles is what causes one particle to accelerate towards the other. In other words, the force calculated using Coulomb's Law is what determines the acceleration of the proton.

5. Can Coulomb's Law be applied to non-point charges?

Yes, Coulomb's Law can be applied to non-point charges (i.e. particles with a physical size). However, in these cases, the distance between the charges must be measured from the center of each charge instead of from their surfaces. Additionally, the shape and distribution of the charges may affect the calculation of the force.

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