How Do You Calculate the Effective Potential Energy in a Hydrogen Atom?

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rbnphlp
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An electron (of mass me and charge −e) in a hydrogen atom is located at position vector r
relative to the proton (of mass mp and charge +e) constituting the nucleus. It is attracted
to the proton by the electrostatic force
[tex]F =-\frac{e^2}{4\epsilon_0r^2}\hat{r}[/tex],
where e_0 is a constant (the ‘permittivity of the vacuum’). Find the potential energy V (r)
associated with the force F, assuming that V -> 0 as r -> infty. Find also the reduced mass
associated with the two-body system of the electron and the proton.
Find an expression for the effective potential energy V_eff associated with the radial motion
of the electron and the nucleus when the system has angular momentum L.

Im stuck on how to do the last bit .

[tex]V_{eff}=V(r)+\frac{L^2}{2mr^2}[/tex]but how do I find the combined Veff of electron and nucleus ?
Thanks ..

edit :wheter it says 872; should be a -
 
on Phys.org
rbnphlp said:
Im stuck on how to do the last bit .

[tex]V_{eff}=V(r)+\frac{L^2}{2mr^2}[/tex]


but how do I find the combined Veff of electron and nucleus ?
Thanks ..

edit :wheter it says 872; should be a -

Use the reduced mass for m. To find Veff you need V(r). That's the electrostatic potential energy of the proton-electron system.
 
kuruman said:
Use the reduced mass for m. To find Veff you need V(r). That's the electrostatic potential energy of the proton-electron system.

oh ok , thanks but why is that the case?
 
kuruman said:
Why is what the case?

oh sorry ..I meant to ask why do we consider the reduced mass for both of them ?
Edit : a quick wike gave me the answer what I was looking for .thanks for your help !