Electron scattering find acceleration

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To find the acceleration of an electron at a distance of 4R from the center of a lead nucleus, the relevant equations involve Coulomb's law and the relationship between force and mass. The charge of the nucleus is +82e, while the electron has a charge of -e. At 4R, the electron experiences the full Coulombic field, with the force calculated using the distance squared in the denominator. The discussion highlights the complexity of the charge field when the electron is within the nucleus (r < R) compared to outside (r ≥ R). Understanding these differences is crucial for accurate calculations in electron scattering scenarios.
fishys182
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Lead nucleus has charge = +82e
and raadius R = 7.10*10^(-15) m
permittivity of free space = 8.85*10^(-12) C^2/Nm^2
magnitude of charge on electron e = 1.60*10^(-19) C
mass of electron = 9.11*10^(-31) kg

find the acceleration 4R from the center of the lead nucleus.

how do i do this?

F = kqQ/(r^2) then a = F/m doesn't work out. I am not sure if I am using the correct values for the q and Q though.
 
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a = F/m should work.

What values are you using for Q (nucleus) and q (electron)?

For electron q = e = -1.60*10^(-19) C

For the nucleus, it depends if one is considering the shielding of the electrons or not. Q on the nucleus = Ze = +82e = 82*1.60*10^(-19) C.

At 4R, where R is the effective radius of the nucleus, the electron probably experiences the full coulombic field of the nucleus.

And in the denominator, r2 would be (4R)2
 
thank you.

i got to this point, but now i am confused about how it would be different if it were R/4 instead of 4R.

the equation is different i think, but i can't figure out what it would be.
 
If r = 4R, then r2 = 16R2, and 1/r2 = 1/(16R2)

If r = R/4, then r2 = R2/16, and 1/r2 = 16/R2.
 
hmm
i entered that in before though, and it said my answer was incorrect.

isnt there a difference for when r>=R and r<R?
 
fishys182 said:
hmm
i entered that in before though, and it said my answer was incorrect.

isnt there a difference for when r>=R and r<R?
Well, yes. When r < R, then the electron is within the nucleus and it would be interacting with a completely different and more complex charge field than outside the nucleus.

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/nuclear/elescat.html

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/nuclear/scatele.html

Have you solved the classical EM problem for an electric field in a sphere of uniformly distributed charge and compared to the E-field outside? The nucleus is more complex.
 
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