UAM & Electrostatics: Does It Apply At Atomic Scale?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the applicability of Uniformly Accelerated Motion (UAM) equations at the atomic scale, particularly in the context of protons and electrons within an electric field.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore whether UAM equations can be applied to atomic-scale particles, questioning the validity of classical mechanics in quantum contexts. There are attempts to clarify the meaning of "atomic scale" and its implications for motion equations.

Discussion Status

The conversation includes various interpretations of the problem, with some participants suggesting that UAM equations may still be applicable under certain conditions. Guidance has been offered regarding the context of the problem, and some participants have shared their calculations for verification.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of a uniform electric field and specific values related to the motion of a proton, indicating that the discussion is grounded in a particular scenario involving forces and accelerations at the atomic level.

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Do UAM equations apply on an atomic scale when dealing with protons and electrons etc?
 
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metalmagik said:
Do UAM equations apply on an atomic scale when dealing with protons and electrons etc?
You mean the The Urban Airshed Model - UAM-IV?

http://www.ccl.rutgers.edu/~ssi/thesis/thesis-node56.html

Or maybe you are talking about uniformly accelerated motion?

The classical notions of particle motion do not hold up on the atomic scale. The theory of quantum mechanics is used to analayze such problems.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I am talking about Uniformly Accelerated Motion. hm, I see they cannot be used. How do I then find a final velocity for a proton when I am given the initial velocity, electric field magnitude, and distance?
 
metalmagik said:
I am talking about Uniformly Accelerated Motion. hm, I see they cannot be used. How do I then find a final velocity for a proton when I am given the initial velocity, electric field magnitude, and distance?
They can be used. See the other thread where the context of your problem is stated. You need to change your understanding of what atomic scale means. It is not about the size of the particle. It is about the distances involved in the motion.
 
I see, I understand this now, thank you very much.
 
If you're still around. Here is my work for the problem I was confused about using UAM equations with:

A uniform electric field has a magnitude of 3.0 x 10^3 N/C. In a vacuum, a proton begins with a speed of 2.4 x 10^4 m/s and moves in the direction of this field. Find the speed of the proton after it has moved a distance of 1.0 mm.

[tex]F = qE[/tex]

[tex]F=(1.6 x 10^-19)(3 x 10^3)[/tex]

[tex]F = 4.8 x 10^-16 N[/tex]

[tex]F = ma[/tex]

[tex]4.8 x 10^-16 N = (1.67 x 10^-27 kg) a[/tex]

[tex]a = 2.87 x 10^(11) m/s^2[/tex]

[tex]Vf^2 = Vi^2 + 2ad[/tex]

[tex]Vf^2 = (2.4 x 10^4)^2 + 2(2.87 x 10^11)(.001)[/tex]

[tex]Vf = 3.39 x 10^4 m/s[/tex]

eh some of the exponents in the latex got skewed, but I am sure you can figure it out. If you can verify this answer for me, that'd be great.
 
Last edited:
metalmagik said:
If you can verify this answer for me, that'd be great.
Looks OK . . . .
 

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