Acceleration of Protons and Electrons at a certain distance provided.

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the initial acceleration of a proton and an electron that are released at a distance of 8.00×10-10 m apart, a distance typical of atomic scales. The participants are exploring the forces acting between the two charged particles and their resulting accelerations.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of Coulomb's law to determine the force between the proton and electron, followed by the use of Newton's second law to find acceleration. There are questions about the accuracy of calculations and the values obtained for force and acceleration.

Discussion Status

Some participants are verifying calculations and discussing discrepancies in numerical results. There is acknowledgment of correct methods, but also recognition of errors in specific calculations. Guidance has been offered regarding checking the setup of calculators.

Contextual Notes

Participants are operating under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the extent of assistance provided. There is an emphasis on understanding the calculations rather than simply obtaining the correct answer.

SuPaFly43218
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Homework Statement


If a proton and an electron are released when they are 8.00×10e-10 m apart (typical atomic distances), find the initial acceleration of each of them.

Homework Equations



F=ma
F=kq1q2/re2
F=kee2/r2

The Attempt at a Solution



Since r=8x10e-10, I solved for the force, because the charge between proton and electron will be the same. From that I got 2.88x10e-10. Then, using F=ma, I divided the force by the mass of the electron (9.10 x 10e-31) and got 3.16x10e11. This was wrong so I am stuck here...
 
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Bump please!
 
The method looks right. I'm not getting the same numbers as you are though. If you get something like e-10 for force and divide by e-31 for electron mass it's nowhere near e11.
 
Sorry, I meant 3.16 x 10e20. Still isn't correct though.
 
Ack! Silly me! My calculator was set up incorrectly! I fixed it!

Thank you for helping me understand that I was doing it correctly though!
 
I was going to suggest you check the calculator batteries, F wasn't right either.
 

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