What is the orbital period of positronium in the far future?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the orbital period of positronium, a bound state of an electron and a positron, in a hypothetical scenario set in the far future where its size is equated to the current observable universe. The problem involves concepts from classical mechanics and electromagnetism, specifically Coulomb's law and orbital motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of treating positronium as an element and question the validity of the scenario presented. There are discussions on the assumptions of a Newtonian framework and the necessary calculations for force and orbital period. Some participants attempt calculations while others critique the methods and results.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing calculations and corrections to each other's work. Some have offered guidance on the formulas used, while others have raised concerns about the assumptions and the physical feasibility of the scenario. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored.

Contextual Notes

There are constraints regarding the hypothetical nature of the problem, including the assumption of a static universe and the definition of positronium. Participants are also addressing potential inaccuracies in the calculations and the physical principles involved.

GypsySmash
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In the far future(10^85 years) an “element” called positronium will develop with a diameter of
the current observable universe of 93 billion light years. (Remember that light travels at 3 × 10^8 m/s). This element consists of an electron and a positron, both of which have a mass 9.11 × 10^−31 kg orbiting a common center of mass. The force between them is given by Coulombs law F = Ke^2/r^2 where K = 8.99 X 10^9Nmi^2/C^2, e = 1.602X10^-19C, and r is the distance between particles. How long does it take for these particles to orbit each other? I.e. what is their orbital period?

Edit: For the sake of physics homework, we can suspend our knowledge of atomic structure and just treat this as a question about orbital period.

Have I posted in the right section?
 
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GypsySmash said:
Have I posted in the right section?
No, I think this belongs in the science fiction section since it isn't physics.

Also, in the far future, the size of the observable universe will not be the same as it is now (but that's just a quibble and can be fixed by adding the word "current" to your "diameter of ... "

An "element" with the diameter of current observable universe isn't even decent science fiction, it's just silly.

[strike]An electron and a positron will not make up an element.[/strike]EDIT: well, apparently I'm wrong on that. Your "positronium" is said to be an atom.

An element would be an atom and the electron(s) in an atom does not have a circular orbit the way you are thinking of.
 
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If the fantastic back story is ignored and a flat, Newtonian universe is assumed, how would you go about solving the problem? What are the basic elements of the problem?
 
Ok, here is a shot.

93bill/2= 46.5 billion x 3x10^8 (speed of light) x 365 days x 24 hours x 3600 seconds = r = 4.399x10^26

F = Ke^2/r^2 = 8.99x10^9 x (1.602x10^-19)^2 / 4.399x10^26 = .00327N

F-MxV^2/r = .00327 = 9.11x10^-31 x V^2 / r

v^2 = (square root of) ((.00327 x 4.399x10^26) / 9.11x10^-31) = 1.25x10^/4 m/s

Circumference = pi r^2 = 3.14 x (4.399 x 10^26)^2 = 1.381 x 10 ^ 53 m

P = v/c = 1.25 x 10 ^-4 / 1.381 x 10^53 = 9.049 x 10^-58 s

How am I looking with all that?
 
Your value for the force seems highly unlikely: very much too large. You failed to square the radius in the denominator.
Your formula for the circumference is not correct, which should be obvious because it yields units of square meters.
 
Ok, another shot.

F = Ke^2/r^2 = 8.99x10^9 x (1.602x10^-19)^2 / (4.399x10^26)^2 = 3.27 x 10^-81

C = PI X 2R = 3.14 x (2X (4.399 x 10^26)) = 2.76 X 10^ 27M

v^2 = (square root of) ((3.27 X 10^-81 x 4.399x10^26) / 9.11x10^-31) = 1.256 X 10^-43

P = V/C = 1.256 X 10^27 / 2.76 X 10^27 = 4.55 X 10 ^-17 s

Getting warmer?
 
Don't you expect a P of several (tralatrillion)4 years instead of 46 attoseconds ?

The distance between the particles isn't 93bill/2 but 93bill

The force is still wrong if I correct for that. re-calculate ?
 

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