Acceleration of an electron held at 1m from the nucleus of an Uranium atom.

[mxdrk]

Homework Statement

An electron is held fixed at a distance of 1 m from the nucleus of a uranium atom (Z = 92). If the electron is then released, what is the magnitude of its initial acceleration?

Homework Equations

I am not sure which kinematic equation that I should use.

The Attempt at a Solution

This is the only problem on my physics final review that I do not know how to do. I know that the answer is 23,300 m/s^2, but I do not know how to get this answer. I would really love it if someone could explain how to solve this to me.

 

[Doc Al]

This is a dynamics problem, not a kinematics one. Hint: What force acts on the electron?

 

[mxdrk]

I was thinking the strong nuclear force, but I believe at 1m it is too far for that to have an effect. The only other thing I could think of would be gravity?

 

[Doc Al]

I was thinking the strong nuclear force, but I believe at 1m it is too far for that to have an effect. The only other thing I could think of would be gravity?

Neither of those forces would be significant. What other force acts?

 

[mxdrk]

The only other thing I could think of would be Coulomb's law. This is the only problem out of 100 that I just have no clue about. I keep rereading my notes but can't seem to find out what I'm missing on.

Thanks for the help though, I appreciate you trying to lead me to the answer.

 

[Doc Al]

The only other thing I could think of would be Coulomb's law.

That's the one.

The positively charged nucleus attracts the electron with an electrical force given by Coulomb's law. Figure out that force.

 

[mxdrk]

Thanks! Here, it was an incredibly easy problem.