Problems involving electromagnetism

  • #1
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Homework Statement


In problems involving electromagnetism it is often convenient and informative to express answers in terms of a constant, x, which is a combination of the Coulomb constant, k, the charge of an electron, e, and H=h/(2pi), with h being Planck's constant. For instance, the lowest energy that a hydrogen atom can have is given by E=-(0.5)(x^2)m(c^2), where m is the mass of the electron and c is the speed of light. Which of the following is the correct expression for x?
(HINT: Non-relativistic kinetic energy is (0.5)m(v^2), where v is the speed.)

a) (k(e^2))/(Hc)
b) H/(k(e^2)c)
c) (k(e^2)H)/c
d) (k(e^2)c)/H


Homework Equations


E=hf
E=m(c^2)
E=(1/2)m(v^2)


The Attempt at a Solution


I really don't know what they are asking for or what formula they are referring. Can someone help? Thanks.
 
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  • #2
Analyze the units of the various answers (dimensional analysis) in order to get the given expression to be in joules.

You can avoid solving for the energy levels of the hydrogen atom if you use dimensional analysis.
 

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