Electrical Potential Energy of a System

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves comparing the electrical potential energy of two configurations of electrons on a ring. The first configuration has all electrons placed on the circumference of a ring, while the second configuration has most electrons on the ring and one at the center. The goal is to determine the smallest number of electrons, N, for which the second configuration is less energetic than the first.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to establish a relationship between the total energy of both configurations, suggesting that the number of electrons must be odd in one configuration and even in the other. They express difficulty in deriving relevant equations and seek a simpler solution.
  • Participants question the ability to formulate an equation for the energy of configuration 1 and suggest examining specific cases, such as N = 2, to gain insights.

Discussion Status

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of the mathematical requirements for solving the problem, indicating a need for higher-level mathematical solutions.

withoutwax
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
1. Homework Statement
Suppose N electron can be placed in either of two configurations. In configuration 1, they are all placed on the circumference of a narrow ring of radius R and uniformly distributed so that the difference between adjacent electron is the same everywhere. In configuration 2, N-1 electrons are uniformly distributed on the ring and one electron is placed in the center of the ring. What is the smallest value of N for which the second configuration is less energetic than the first?


2. The attempt at a solution

[tex]\sum[/tex]U of configuration 1 > [tex]\sum[/tex]U of configuration 2

*deduced that number of electron in one of the system must be odd, and another is even.

So, by drawing some circles with different number of electrons to understand the pattern of the summation.

But then i failed to get any relevant equations.

I think there must be some much easier way to solve it.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF!

withoutwax said:
Suppose N electron can be placed in either of two configurations.

In configuration 1, they are all placed on the circumference of a narrow ring of radius R and uniformly distributed so that the difference between adjacent electron is the same everywhere.

In configuration 2, N-1 electrons are uniformly distributed on the ring and one electron is placed in the center of the ring. What is the smallest value of N for which the second configuration is less energetic than the first?

Hi withoutwax ! Welcome to PF! :smile:

How far have you got?

Can you do an equation for the energy of configuration 1? :smile:
 
That's the problem I'm facing now..it require sum high maths solution...
 
withoutwax said:
That's the problem I'm facing now..it require sum high maths solution...

Well, can you do configuration 1 for N = 2? :smile:
 

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K