What is the radius of the orbit of an electron?

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
2 replies · 2K views
bbbl67
Messages
216
Reaction score
21

Homework Statement


What is the radius of the orbit of an electron traveling at 9.0 x 10^6 m/s around a zinc nucleus which contains 30 protons?

Homework Equations


I don't know if this problem can be solved quantum mechanically, all I can think of doing is solving it classically, using Coulomb's Law and Centripetal force.

(1) Centripetal Force:
F = (m v^2)/r |
r | radius
F | centripetal force
v | rotation speed
m | mass
https://is.gd/CL6WBe

(2) Coulomb's Law:
F = (Q_1 Q_2)/(4 pi e_0 r^2) | U = (Q_1 Q_2)/(4 pi e_0 r) |
F | force
Q_1 | charge 1
Q_2 | charge 2
r | distance
U | potential energy
e_0 | electric constant (˜ 8.854×10^-12 F/m)
(in vacuum)
https://is.gd/P5JR1H

The Attempt at a Solution


Then you use the balance of forces to find the radius.
F(1) = F(2)
(m v^2)/r = (Q_1 Q_2)/(4 pi e_0 r^2)
r = (Q_1 Q_2)/(4 pi e_0 m v^2) = ?
Q_1 = 1 e = 1.6021766×10^-19 C
Q_2 = 30 e = 4.8065299×10^-18 C
m = 1 m_e = 9.109384×10^-31 kg
v = 9.0E+6 m/s
r = ( 1.6021766×10^-19 C * 4.8065299×10^-18 C) / ( 4 pi e_0 (9.109384×10^-31 kg) (9.0E+6 m/s)^2)
= 9.380143×10^-11 meters
= 93.80143 picometers
https://is.gd/ttIdyJ
 
Physics news on Phys.org
This calls for LaTeX.

In QM you can't talk about an orbit nor the electron velocity, so QM would be of no help here.

Other than that I trust Charles :wink: