How do I go about finding the ratio of the electric force?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the ratio of electric forces between a helium atom's nucleus and its electrons, specifically focusing on the forces acting on one electron due to the nucleus and vice versa.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of Coulomb's law to determine the forces involved and suggest calculating the ratio of these forces. Questions arise regarding the necessary values for charge and distance, and how to approach the problem without specific numerical values.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on using Coulomb's law and suggested a method for calculating the forces. However, there is ongoing questioning about the assumptions needed when certain values are not provided, indicating that the discussion is still active and exploring various interpretations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of specific values for charge and distance in the problem, raising questions about assumptions that may need to be made for calculations.

atomant
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Some help with this question would be much appreciated. A helium atom has a positively charged nucleus (qnucleus = +2e) with two negatively charged electrons (q = -e) orbiting it. What is the ratio of the electric force acting on one of the electrons due to the nucleus to the force acting on the nucleus due to one of the electrons?

How do I go about finding the ratio of the electric force?.
 
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What is the formula for electric force.

Then try F(n -> e) / F(e -> n).

It's a bit like asking what is the force with which the Earth acts on the moon (or satellite) compared to the moon (or satellite) acting on the earth.
 
Coulombs law.

Use coulombs law to calculate the forces, then divide the force on the electron by the force on the nucleus.

Regards,
Sam
 
So I use F=Kq1q2/r^2. O.k, but hiw do I solve the equations when the values for q or r is not given?. I there something we have to assume in terms of calculation in order to solve this?
 

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