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Determine the ratio of the electrostatic force to the gravitational force between a proton and an electron, FE/FG. Note: k = 8.99 × 109 N-m2
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Answers ( )
Answer:
Explanation:
The gravitational force is given by Newton’s Law of Gravity:
The electrostatic force is given by Coulomb’s Law:
The ratio between these two forces is
Complete Question:
Determine the ratio of the electrostatic force to the gravitational force between a proton and electron, FE/FG.
Note : k = 8.99 × 10⁹ N.m²/C² ; G = 6.672 x 10⁻¹¹ Nm²/kg²; me = 9.109 × 10⁻³¹ kg and mp = 1.672 × 10⁻²⁷kg.
Answer:
FE/FG = 2.3 x 10³⁹
Explanation:
According to Coulomb’s law, the electrostatic force () between two particles is given as;
= k x ——————–(i)
Where;
k = electric constant = 8.99 x 10⁹Nm²/C²
Q₁ = the charge of particle 1
Q₂ = the charge of particle 2
r = the distance of separation between the two particles
Also, according to Newton’s law of gravitational force, the gravitational force () between two particles is given as;
= G x ——————–(ii)
Where;
G = gravitational constant = 6.672 x 10⁻¹¹Nm²/kg²
M₁ = mass of particle 1
M₂ = mass of particle 2
r = distance of separation between the two particles
For clarity, we will calculate and separately before finding their ratio.
From the question;
The particles are a proton (particle 1) and an electron (particle 2) with the following details;
Q₁ = charge of proton = 1.6 x 10⁻¹⁹C
Q₂ = charge of electron = -1.6 x 10⁻¹⁹C
M₁ = mass of proton = mp = 1.672 × 10⁻²⁷kg
M₂ = mass of electron = me = 9.109 × 10⁻³¹kg
Substitute the values of k, Q₁ and Q₂ into equation (i) as follows;
= 8.99 x 10⁹ x
= 8.99 x 10⁹ x [negative sign can be discarded]
=
Also, substitute the values of G, M₁ and M₂ into equation (ii) as follows;
= 6.67 x 10⁻¹¹ x
= 6.67 x 10⁻¹¹ x
=
The ratio / is therefore;
/ = /
/ =
/ =
/ =
Therefore, the ratio is 2.3 x 10³⁹