Energy Needed to Remove an Electron

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The total energy required to remove an electron from a hydrogen atom is 24.6 eV, which corresponds to a distance of approximately 5.85 x 10^-11 meters from the nucleus. The electrostatic potential energy equation, E_{e} = kq_{1}q_{2}/r, is appropriate for this calculation, where q1 and q2 are the charges of the electron and proton. It is crucial to convert the energy from electron-volts to Joules for accurate calculations. The rationale behind the work done in this context involves integrating the force over the distance from the electron's position to infinity. Understanding these principles is essential for solving similar problems in atomic physics.
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Homework Statement



If the total energy needed to remove an electron from a hydrogen atom is 24.6 eV, what is the distance that the electron is from the nucleus?

Homework Equations



I'm not really sure...I know that the answer is r = 5.85\times10^-11.

The Attempt at a Solution



As you can see, I know the answer, but I'm just not sure how to get to it. So far, I have thought of applying this process:

E_{e} = \frac{kq_{1}q_{2}}{r}

Technically, I get the answer if I sub in:q_{1}=q_{2}=e, E_{e}=24.6e, and solve for r.

Is this the correct process? I'm not really sure about the rationale behind it...lol I'm almost positive that there is another way.
 
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What you've written is the expression for the electrostatic potential energy between two charges q_1 and q_2 separated by a distance r. Yes, this is what you want to use.

Make sure you put everything into SI units, which means you'll need to convert that energy of 24.6 electron-volts into Joules...
 
Thanks for the help!
 
LHC said:

Homework Statement



If the total energy needed to remove an electron from a hydrogen atom is 24.6 eV, what is the distance that the electron is from the nucleus?

Homework Equations



I'm not really sure...I know that the answer is r = 5.85\times10^-11.

The Attempt at a Solution



As you can see, I know the answer, but I'm just not sure how to get to it. So far, I have thought of applying this process:

E_{e} = \frac{kq_{1}q_{2}}{r}

Technically, I get the answer if I sub in:q_{1}=q_{2}=e, E_{e}=24.6e, and solve for r.

Is this the correct process? I'm not really sure about the rationale behind it...lol I'm almost positive that there is another way.

Your answer is correct. You can figure out the rationale from the definition of work. Work = Force x distance. Since the force changes with distance, you have to integrate (from beginning and end points, r to infinity):

W = \int_r^\infty F\cdot ds = \int_r^\infty -\frac{kQq}{r^2} dr = kQq/r - kQq/\infty

AM
 
Repeat of my above answer since Latex seems to be having problems:

W = \int_r^\infty F\cdot ds = \int_r^\infty \frac{kQq}{r^2} dr = \frac{kQq}{r} - \frac{kQq}{\infty}

AM
 
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