A Proton is orbiting a metal ball

AI Thread Summary
A proton orbits a metal ball, and the problem involves calculating the charge on the ball given its size and the proton's orbital period. The correct radius for the proton's orbit is determined by adding the ball's radius to the height above its surface. The centripetal force acting on the proton is equated to the electrostatic force between the proton and the ball, leading to a formula that incorporates the charges and the radius. After performing the calculations, the charge on the metal ball is found to be approximately 6.68 x 10^-12 C, which is negative due to the attraction between the positively charged proton and the negatively charged ball. The discussion emphasizes the importance of correctly identifying the radius and understanding the relationship between the charges.
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Homework Statement



A proton orbits a 1.0-cm-diameter metal ball 1.90 mm above the surface. The orbital period is 1.50 \mu s.

What is the charge on the ball?

Homework Equations



F_{cp} = \frac{m v^2}{r}

F_c = \frac{k q_1 q_2}{r^2}

The Attempt at a Solution



Since the proton is orbiting the metal ball, there is obviously a centripetal force involved, but first I need to velocity.

v_{cp} = {\omega r} = \frac{2 \pi r}{T} = \frac{2 \pi (0.005)}{1.5*10^{-6}} = 2.1*10^4 m/s

I was wondering whether this statement is true F_{cp} = F_c
 
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You're on the right lines, just keep going. One issue is your value for r?
 
so would q_1 = q_2 in this case, and for the r, I should use the 1.9mm instead?
 
You'll be solving for for one of the charges. The other will be the charge on the proton. The radius if measured from the centre of the metal sphere.
 
so the radius of the metal ball would be .5 cm = 0.005m which is the value I used.
 
cse63146 said:
so the radius of the metal ball would be .5 cm = 0.005m which is the value I used.

Plus the distance of the proton above the surface.
 
Kurdt said:
Plus the distance of the proton above the surface.

to calculate the velocity needed for the centripetal force?
 
cse63146 said:
to calculate the velocity needed for the centripetal force?

Yes.
 
I don't see why I would need the distance of the proton from the surface.
 
  • #10
The r is the distance of the proton from the centre of rotation. The distance is the radius of the sphere plus the height above the surface.
 
  • #11
so F_cp=(mv^2)/r

and F_cp=F_c
so F_cp=(kq_1q_2)/r^2
also q_1=q_2 --> F_cp=(kq^2)/r^2

Is this right?
 
  • #12
If you're doing the same question you can't assume both charges are the same since it is one of the charges you are trying to find.
 
  • #13
r = 1.0cm + 1.9 mm = 1.19 cm = 0.0119 m
m_proton = 1.67*10^-27 kg
T = 1.5 us = 1.5*10^-6 s

v_cp = omega*r = (2pi*r)/T = [2pi(0.0119 m]/(1.5*10^-6) = 4.98*10^4 m/s

F_cp = (mv^2)/r = (1.67*10^-27 kg*(4.98*10^4 m/s)^2)/0.0119 m = 3.49*10^-16 N

F_cp = F_c
so F_cp=(kq_1q_2)/r^2
F_cp=(kq^2)/r^2
3.49*10^-16 N = (k*q^2)/r^2
q^2 = [(3.49*10^-16 N)(r^2)]/(k)
q^2 = [(3.49*10^-16 N)((0.0119m)^2)]/(k)
q^2 = 4.937*10^-20 Nm^2 / 8.99*10^9 Nm^2/C^2
q^2 = 5.49*10^-15 C^2
q = 2.34*10^-15 C

Is this the correct procedure and answer? Someone please help
 
  • #14
I just saw your reply as I entered this post above, what am I doing wrong?
 
  • #15
radius would be r = 1/2(0.019 m) = 0.0095 m
 
  • #16
no wait, r = 1/2(1 cm) + 1.9 mm = 0.0069 m
 
  • #17
new calculation:

r = r = 1/2(1 cm) + 1.9 mm = 0.0069 m
m_proton = 1.67*10^-27 kg
T = 1.5 us = 1.5*10^-6 s

v_cp = omega*r = (2pi*r)/T = [2pi(0.0069 m]/(1.5*10^-6) = 2.89*10^4 m/s

F_cp = (mv^2)/r = (1.67*10^-27 kg*(2.89*10^4 m/s)^2)/0.0069 m = 2.02*10^-16 N

F_cp = F_c
so F_cp=(kq_1q_2)/r^2
F_cp=(kq^2)/r^2
2.02*10^-16 N = (k*q^2)/r^2
q^2 = [(2.02*10^-16 N)(r^2)]/(k)
q^2 = [(2.02*10^-16 N)((0.0069m)^2)]/(k)
q^2 = 9.62*10^-21 Nm^2 / 8.99*10^9 Nm^2/C^2
q^2 = 1.07*10^-30 C^2
q = 1.03*10^-15 C
 
  • #18
Radius would be 0.005m+0.0019m.
 
  • #19
You're right, I corrected it and it comes to 0.0069 m. Do you know if this procedure I used is correct??
 
  • #20
the final answer should come to about -#*10^-12, but this is nowhere near that :(
 
  • #21
Its not q^2. There are two different charges.
 
  • #22
original1 said:
new calculation:

r = r = 1/2(1 cm) + 1.9 mm = 0.0069 m
m_proton = 1.67*10^-27 kg
T = 1.5 us = 1.5*10^-6 s

v_cp = omega*r = (2pi*r)/T = [2pi(0.0069 m]/(1.5*10^-6) = 2.89*10^4 m/s

F_cp = (mv^2)/r = (1.67*10^-27 kg*(2.89*10^4 m/s)^2)/0.0069 m = 2.02*10^-16 N

F_cp = F_c
so F_cp=(kq_1q_2)/r^2

Good up to here. Now as Kurdt said, q1 is not equal to q2, you can't replace that with q^2. Set q1 equal to the charge of the proton and solve for q2, the charge of the sphere.
 
  • #23
F_cp = F_c
so F_cp=(kq_1q_2)/r^2

q_1 = 1.602*10^-19 C

q_2= (F_cp*r^2)/(k*q_1)
q_2= [(2.02*10^-16 N)(0.0069 m)^2]/[(8.99*10^9 Nm^2/C^2*1.602*10^-19 C)]
q_2= 6.68*10^-12 C

this looks right, thank you!

do you know why the answer has to be negative value?
 
  • #24
The proton has a + charge. If it's orbiting the sphere, then it's attracted to the sphere. Opposite charges attract.
 
  • #25
That makes perfect sense...

thanks for all your help!
 
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