# Speed of electron in Bohr model

1. Jan 15, 2009

### vaizard

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
In the classical Bohr model of the hydrogen atom, the nucleus has one positive electronic charge Q_n = e = +1.602E-19 Coulombs and the single electron (mass = 9.1E-31 kg and Q_e = -e = -1.602E-19 C, one negative electronic charge) orbits the nucleus in a circular orbit. In the Bohr model, stable orbits result only when the angular momentum is an integral multiple of h/(2\pi) (remember, L = r x p, but for circular orbits r is perpendicular to p, so here L = mvr = n(h/2\pi) and h = Planck's constant = 6.626E-34 J-s.

a) Calculate the speed with which the electron must orbit the proton for the ground state (n = 1) in the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom.

b) What is the radius of this ground state orbit? You probably know from Chemistry that the atomic size is about an Angstrom (10E-10 m). Is your answer close to this?

2. Relevant equations
$$L = mvr = \frac{nh}{2\pi}$$
Not sure if this one is needed, but:
$$F = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{|q_1q_2|}{r^2}$$

3. The attempt at a solution
From the first equation,
$$v = \frac{nh}{2\pi mr}$$
I know what n, h, and m are, but I don't have r (well, I know it's .529E-10, but I can't use it). For this reason, I'm trying to use the second equation to find r from the charge values for the proton and electron, but I don't know F, the force on each charge. Any ideas?

Thanks!

2. Jan 15, 2009

### Nabeshin

Remember from circular motion that $$a=\frac{v^{2}}{r}$$.

So Newton's 2nd law can be written as $$F=m\frac{v^{2}}{r}$$. This should help :)

3. Jan 15, 2009

### vaizard

Yeah, I thought of that too, but once again, you need the radius to find the force by that method.

4. Jan 15, 2009

### rootX

two equations, two unknowns?

You have one equation, now use forces to get second.
will get something like
v^2 = k1/r
v = k2 /r

5. Jan 15, 2009

### psykatic

Well, you have Bohr'd second postulate as,
$$L = mvr = \frac{nh}{2\pi}$$
On squaring it, you'll have:
$$m^2v^2r^2 = \frac{n^2h^2}{4\pi^2}$$

Also, from the first postulate you know that,
Centripetal Force= Electrostatic Force
Therefore you'll have,
$$\frac{mv^2}{r}=~\frac{e^2}{4\pi\epsilon_o r^2}$$

Now, equate the $$v^2$$ terms, with their appropriate values from the above two equations, you'll get an equation for r!

I hope this proves to be of help to you.

6. Jan 16, 2009

### vaizard

Thanks a lot, that worked perfectly! I would have never thought of that!

When I completed part B, I got an answer of $$\sim 0.48 \, \AA$$ for the radius, which is close enough to $$a_0 = 0.529 \, \AA$$

7. Jan 17, 2009

### psykatic

Well, I'm always hereto help!