Solve Surface Charge Density & He Atom Potential Energy Questions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around two physics questions: one concerning the calculation of surface charge density on a cell membrane and the other regarding the potential energy of a helium atom. The original poster expresses confusion regarding their calculations and the expected results.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the formula for surface charge density and the necessary constants, with one participant realizing a missing multiplication factor. In the helium atom problem, there is confusion about how to calculate potential energy, with attempts to apply the formula for potential energy of point charges and questions about the correct approach to summing energies.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the calculations, but there remains uncertainty about the correct methods and assumptions. Multiple interpretations of the potential energy calculation are being explored, and participants are seeking clarification on their reasoning and calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under constraints of homework guidelines, which may limit the information they can share or the methods they can use. There is an emphasis on significant figures in the potential energy question, which adds to the complexity of the calculations.

Taryn
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I still don't understand from the msg given... another explanation any1

Hey I have two questions... the first one I did I got wrong but am really unsure why... I used sigma=Q/A but didnt get the right answer...
I got that the answer was 1.3277E7 but I am so far off it aint funny!
Please could someone help!
The answer is meant to be 117.5! I don't know tho!

Consider a cell whose cell membrane is 4.7 nm thick and whose resting potential is 62.4 mV. What is the approximate surface charge density (in µ C/m2) on the outside wall of the cell?

Also this question also has me stumped!
Consider the helium atom which consists of two electrons orbiting a nucleus made up of two protons and two neutrons. If both electrons are at a distance of r = 4.5 × 10-11 m away from the nucleus, as in figure, what is the potential energy (in eV) of the helium atom? Treat the nucleus as pointlike. - Give answer to 4 significant figures.

I thought you'd just find the energies of the electron on the helium atom which I got was 1.024E-17 and add them but obviously you don't so if anyone knows wat to do I would be much appreciative, I really just needa know how to do it... or even just a general start!
 
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um yeah its cool now... for the first question... I just forgot to times it by 8.85E-12... so if anyone knows wat I am doing wrong for the second one... the help would be great
 
Taryn said:
Consider the helium atom which consists of two electrons orbiting a nucleus made up of two protons and two neutrons. If both electrons are at a distance of r = 4.5 × 10-11 m away from the nucleus, as in figure, what is the potential energy (in eV) of the helium atom? Treat the nucleus as pointlike. - Give answer to 4 significant figures.

I thought you'd just find the energies of the electron on the helium atom which I got was 1.024E-17 and add them but obviously you don't so if anyone knows wat to do I would be much appreciative, I really just needa know how to do it... or even just a general start!
Start with a nucleus of +2e and no electrons. Move an electron from infinity to r = 4.5x10-11 m away from the nucleus. Now you have an atom of +e. Move another electron from infinity to r. The work done in moving both electrons is the potential energy of the two electrons.

AM
 
I don't understand how that really helps... I know that, but still don't understand where I am goin wrong... could someone help me understand... this is wat I did!
P.E=kqq'/r and then added up wat I got... except I just can't get the right answer?
so does this mean I use the force of a charge and times it by the distance.. your explanation I mean... but that still doesn't work... The answer is meant to be 112 but I can't get that no matter how hard I try
 
Taryn said:
I don't understand how that really helps... I know that, but still don't understand where I am goin wrong... could someone help me understand... this is wat I did!
P.E=kqq'/r and then added up wat I got... except I just can't get the right answer?
so does this mean I use the force of a charge and times it by the distance.. your explanation I mean... but that still doesn't work... The answer is meant to be 112 but I can't get that no matter how hard I try
I get:

PE_1/e = k2e/r = 8.989e9*2*(1.602e-19)/(4.500e-11) = 64.00 eV

PE_2/e = ke/r = 8.989e9*(1.602e-19)/(4.500e-11) = 32.00 eV

So the total potential energy is 96.00 eV.

This is a simplified view of it since it assumes that the electron charge is concentrated at the centre. But it should be very close.

AM
 

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