Why Is Calculating the Centripetal Force in a Bohr Atom Challenging?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the centripetal force acting on an electron in the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom, specifically focusing on the parameters of the electron's speed and orbital radius.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the appropriate mass to use in the calculations, initially confusing the mass of the hydrogen atom with that of the electron. There are attempts to apply the centripetal force formula and concerns about discrepancies in the calculated magnitudes of the force.

Discussion Status

Some participants have identified the need to use the mass of the electron instead of the hydrogen atom's mass. There is ongoing exploration of the calculations, with participants expressing confusion over the results and the correct application of the centripetal force formula.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of the Bohr model and are addressing potential errors in their calculations, particularly regarding the forces acting on the electron in a circular orbit.

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Homework Statement


In the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom, the speed of the electron is approximately 2.00 x 10^6 m/s.
(a) Find the force acting on the electron as it revolves in a circular orbit of radius 5.50x 10^-11 m



Homework Equations



∑fy=ma=mv^2/r
ac=v^2/r

The Attempt at a Solution



i am always magnitude orders off for the force and don't know why, when do free body the only force i can think of that acts on the electron is the centripcal acceleration due it a ciclulr orbrit. looking in the book the mass of a hydrogen atom is 1.67x10^-27.
∑fy= (1.67x10^-27)(2x10^6)^2/(5.50x10^-11)
= 1.21x10-4 N but this wrong can some help me understand this better.
 
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You are incorrectly using the mass of the atom. What mass should you be using?
 
atomic mass
?
 
ah the mass of the electron
 
veloix said:
ah the mass of the electron
yes...!
 
but i still get the wrong answer.
 
fy=mv^2/r+mg
Fy=(9.108*10^-31)(2*10^6)^2/(5.5*10^-11)+(9.108*10^-31)(9.80)
= 6.6*10^-8
still off by magnitudes i don't what to do
 
veloix said:
fy=mv^2/r+mg
Fy=(9.108*10^-31)(2*10^6)^2/(5.5*10^-11)+(9.108*10^-31)(9.80)
= 6.6*10^-8
still off by magnitudes i don't what to do
The centripetal force is primarily delivered by the electromagnetic force between the positively charged proton and negatively charged electron. But no matter what the source is for the force, what's the formula for centripetal force?
 

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