How Do You Calculate Electron Velocity in a Hydrogen Atom?

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    Electron Velocity
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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the velocity of an electron in a hydrogen atom, specifically considering the centripetal force provided by the Coulomb's force between the electron and the proton. The radius of the electron's orbit is given as 5.29 x 10^-11 meters.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between centripetal force and Coulomb's force, questioning the necessary quantities such as the mass of the electron and the relevant formulas. Some suggest starting with Coulomb's law to find the force acting on the electron.

Discussion Status

Participants have engaged in clarifying the necessary equations and quantities needed to approach the problem. One participant has successfully identified the mass of the electron and applied Coulomb's law to find the force, leading to a calculation of the electron's velocity.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted absence of the electron's mass in the original problem statement, which participants have identified as a constraint in their calculations.

Wildcatfan
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Homework Statement


What is the velocity of an electron in the hydrogen atom if the centripetal force is supplied by the Coulomb's force between the electron and proton?


Homework Equations


The radius of the electron orbit is 5.29 X 10^-11


The Attempt at a Solution


The answer in the back of the book is 2.19 X 10^6 m/s. I am not really sure how to start this problem since it only gives me the radius. Please help!
 
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Do you know the formula for centripetal force F, on a mass m, moving with velocity v, in a circle of radius r? (v is what you must calculate so you must know all the other quantities.)
You need to know the mass of the electron. Is it given?
You also need to know the formula for the coulomb force F. Do you know it?
 
Wildcatfan said:

Homework Equations


The radius of the electron orbit is 5.29 X 10^-11

You will also need

F=\frac{Q_1Q_2}{4 \pi \epsilon_0 r^2}

F=\frac{mv^2}{r}

Start by first finding the Coloumb's force.
 
Thanks for the help! I went back in the chapter and found the mass of the electron (don't know why this was not presented in the problem), used Coulomb's law to get the force, then found the velocity solving the square root of force x radius/mass. Thanks again!
 

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