An electron is moving round the nucleus of a hydrogen atom in a circular orbit of radius r. The Coulomb force F between the two is
- K e2r2 r
- -K e2r3 r
- K e2r3 r
- -K e2r2 r
Answer
(4) -K e2r2 r
Solution
By Coulomb's law, force on the electron (charge −e) due to the nucleus (charge +e) at distance r:
F = K (+e)(-e)r2 r = -K e2r2 r
where r is the unit vector from the nucleus towards the electron and K = 14 0.
The negative sign shows the force is attractive (towards the nucleus); it varies as 1r2, not 1r3.
Answer: (4)