Harmonic motion and Electrical Fields

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving two positive charges fixed on the x-axis and a third charge that executes simple harmonic motion when displaced. Part (a) of the problem was solved correctly, yielding an expression for the oscillation period T. In part (b), the participant initially calculated T as 0.2 picoseconds but later confirmed that the correct answer is indeed 2 picoseconds after realizing unit conversion errors. The participants emphasized the importance of accurate unit handling in calculations, particularly with Coulombs. Overall, the focus was on resolving discrepancies in the final answer through careful unit checks.
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Homework Statement


Two positive charges +Q are affixed rigidly to the x-axis, one at x = +d and the other at x = -d. A third charge +q of mass m, which is constrained to move only along the x-axis, is displaced from the origin by a small distance s << d and then released from rest. (a) Show that (to a good approximation) +q will execute simple harmonic motion and determine an expression for its oscillation period T. (b) If these three charges are each singly ionized sodium atoms (q = Q = +e) at the equilibrium spacing d = 3 x 10-10 m typical of the atomic spacing in a solid, find T in picoseconds.

Homework Equations


Fnet = F1 + F2
F = k * Q1 * Q2 / r2
T = 2 * π * √(m/k) (Simple Harmonic Motion)
Q = q = chargeelectron = 1.602 x 10-19 C

The Attempt at a Solution


I solved part (a) but am getting the wrong answer for part (b).

Answer part a: T = π * √((m * d3) / (k * Q * q))

(b):
Sodium Ion (Na+)
Molar MassNa+ = 22.9898 g/mol = 0.0229898 Kg/mol
Mass per Na+ molecule = 0.0229898 Kg/mol / 6.02 molecules/mol = 3.8189 x 10-26 Kg
dequilibrium = 3 x 10-10 m

T = π * √( (3.8189 x 10-26 Kg) * (3 x 10-10 m)3 / ((8.99 x 109 N⋅m2 / C) * (1.602 x 10-19 C)2))

= π * √( 1.031103 x 10-54 kg⋅m2 / 2.307 x 10-28 N⋅m2 )

= π * 6.685 x 10-14 Kg/N

= 2.1 x 10-13 seconds (?)

= 0.2 picoseconds (the correct answer is 2 picoseconds).

Are my units wrong? I found some mistakes while writing this post but after fixing them I am off by 1x101.
 
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Your units do not match. Check the Coulombs.
Fixing that, I get the same answer as you got. If formula (a) is right, then the 2 picoseconds could be a mistake in the given solution.
 
I'll fix my units. The answer for question (a) is correct according to the book solutions.

EDIT: I misread the answer, it is 0.2 ps. So there is no problem (besides my units).
 
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