Gravitational Force and Electric Force

In summary, a hydrogen atom is made up of a nucleus with a single proton and an orbiting electron. The electric force between these particles is much stronger than the gravitational force. Changing the distance between them will not result in an equalization of these forces. The correct answer is c.
  • #1
Soaring Crane
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Homework Statement



A hydrogen atom is composed of a nucleus containing a single proton, about which a single electron orbits. The electric force between the two particles is about 2.3 x 10^39 times greater than the gravitational force. Suppose we could change the distance between the proton and electron, could we adjust the distance between the two particles and find a separation at which the electric and gravitational forces are equal?

a. Yes, we must move the particles farther apart.
b. Yes, we must move the particles closer together.
c. No, at any distance the forces will be different.


Homework Equations



F_g = (G*m_p*m_e)/r^2 and F_ele = (k*q_p*q_e)/r^2,

where G = 6.67*10^-11 and k = 8.988 *10^9

The Attempt at a Solution



Is the correct answer choice c. No, at any distance the forces will be different?

I tried solving it mathematically by having the two above equations equal each other, but the r values cancel out. If both are placed on one side:


G*m_p*m*e*r^2 = k*q_e*q_p*r^2

r^2*[(G*m_p*m_e) - (k*q_p*q_e)] = 0

r = 0 m

Thanks.
 
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  • #2
You're correct.
 
  • #3


I would like to clarify that the answer to this question is actually b. Yes, we must move the particles closer together. This is because as the distance between the particles decreases, the gravitational force becomes stronger due to the inverse square relationship (r^2) in the equation. At a certain point, the gravitational force will become equal to the electric force. This distance can be calculated by setting the two force equations equal to each other and solving for r. However, this distance would be extremely small and not practically possible to achieve in real life.
 

What is the difference between gravitational force and electric force?

Gravitational force is the attractive force between two objects with mass, while electric force is the attractive or repulsive force between two charged particles or objects.

How do gravitational force and electric force interact?

Gravitational force and electric force do not directly interact with each other. However, they can both affect the motion of charged particles in an electric field.

What is the equation for calculating gravitational force?

The equation for calculating gravitational force is F = G * (m1 * m2) / r^2, where F is the force, G is the gravitational constant, m1 and m2 are the masses of the objects, and r is the distance between them.

What is the equation for calculating electric force?

The equation for calculating electric force is F = k * (q1 * q2) / r^2, where F is the force, k is the Coulomb constant, q1 and q2 are the charges of the particles, and r is the distance between them.

What are some real-life applications of gravitational force and electric force?

Gravitational force is responsible for keeping planets in orbit around the sun, while electric force is responsible for holding atoms together and creating chemical bonds. Both forces are also used in technologies such as satellites, electric motors, and generators.

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