Electrostatic Force Between Proton and Neutron?

Click For Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the electrostatic force between a proton and an electron in a hydrogen atom, yielding a force of approximately 8.2x10-8 Newtons for each particle. The user then applied this force to determine the electron's acceleration, resulting in an unexpectedly high value of about 9.02x10^22 m/s². Concerns were raised about the appropriateness of using classical mechanics equations, like F = ma, for atomic-level calculations. It was emphasized that atomic behavior is primarily governed by quantum physics, which renders classical analogies, such as treating atoms like solar systems, inaccurate. The conclusion stresses the need to adopt quantum mechanical principles for a proper understanding of atomic interactions.
James Halliday
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
After calculating the force upon an electron and a force upon a proton in the atom of hydrogen, my result was a force of ≈8.2x10-8 Newtons acting upon the electron and proton each.
If found this by using the formula Fe = (ke q1q2)/r2

Taking this number, I then applied it in the formula F = ma to find the acceleration of the electron.
I found the acceleration of the electron to be ≈9.02x1022 m/s/s.

This doesn't seem right. Am I supposed to be using a different equation for this. I'm trying to find the acceleration of the electron based on the force acting upon it. I don't think this is how it's supposed to be calculated but I just did this because I thought it might be correct. The mass I used was ≈9.1x10-31 kg
 
Physics news on Phys.org
You cannot treat an atom as if it was a solar system. At the atomic level, you should leave notions of forces and acceleration behind as it is governed mainly by quantum physics.

If you anyway do not do that, yes accelerations will be huge.
 
Thread 'Unexpected irregular reflection signal from a high-finesse cavity'
I am observing an irregular, aperiodic noise pattern in the reflection signal of a high-finesse optical cavity (finesse ≈ 20,000). The cavity is normally operated using a standard Pound–Drever–Hall (PDH) locking configuration, where an EOM provides phase modulation. The signals shown in the attached figures were recorded with the modulation turned off. Under these conditions, when scanning the laser frequency across a cavity resonance, I expected to observe a simple reflection dip. Instead...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K