1.

Which of the following is a true statement concerning the electrostatic force and gravitational force acting on an electron and a proton in an atom?

Fg > Fel

Fel > Fg

Fg = Fel

We would need to know which atom

2.

In a certain atom a proton and electron are separated by a distance of 4.7 x 10-13 m. Calculate the electrostatic force of attraction between this proton and electron.

4.90 x 10-16 N

5.45 x 10-26 N

1.04 x 10-3 N

6.5 x 1015 N

3.

In a certain atom a proton and electron are separated by a distance of 4.7 x 10-13 m. Calculate the gravitational force of attraction between this proton and electron.

4.18 x 10-73 N

8.42 x 10-40 N

2.16 x 10-55 N

4.59 x 10-43 N

1). The forces inside the atom are always, totally, completely, electrostatic forces. Those are so awesomely stronger than the gravitational forces that the gravitational ones are totally ignored, and it doesn't change a thing.

Parts 2 and 3 of this question are here to show us how the forces compare.

Part-2). The electrostatic force between a proton and an electron.

The constant in the formula is 9x10^9, and the elementary charge is 1.602 x 10^-19 Coulomb ... same charge on both particles, but opposite signs.

I worked through it 3 times and got 0.000105 N every time. So the best choice is 'C', even though we disagree by a factor of ten times. You'll see in part-3 that it really doesn't make any difference.

Part-3). Gravitational force between a proton and an electron.

The constant in Newton's gravity formula is 6.67x10^-11 . You'll have to look up the masses of the proton and the electron.

I got 2.163 x 10^-55 N ... exactly choice-C. yay !

Now, after we've slaved over a hot calculator all night, the thing that really amazes us is not only that the electrostatic force is stronger than the gravitational force, but HOW MUCH stronger ... 10^51 TIMES stronger. That's a thousand trillion trillion trillion trillion times stronger !

That's why it has no effect on the measurements if we just forget all about the gravitational forces inside the atom.

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