Compare the electrostatic force between an electron and proton separated by 0.530*10-10 m with the gravitational force between them. This distance is their average separation in a hydrogen atom. me = 9.11*10-31 kg mp = 1.67*10-27 kg

Answer: The electrostatic force is 2.62 x 10^45 times greater than the gravitational force

Explanation:

According to columb's law, the electrostatic force F is given mathematical as

F = K * q1 * q2 / r²

K = electrostatic constant = 9 x 10^9 Nm²/c^-2

q1 = 1.609 x 10^-16c

q2 = 1.609 x 10^-16c

r = 0.530 x 10^-10m

F = 9x10^9 * 1.609x10^-16 * 1.609x 10^-16 / (0.530 x 10^-10) ²

F = 23.299 x 10^-23 / 0.289 x 10^-20

F = 8.29 x 10^-2 N

To get the gravitational force F', we use newton' law of gravitation which is given below as

F' = G * Me * Mp / r²

Where G = gravitational constant = 6.674 x 10^-11

Me = mass of electron = 9.11*10^-31 kg

Mp = mass of proton = 1.67*10^-27 kg

r = distance between proton and electron = 0.530 x 10^-10m

F' = (6.674 x 10^-11) * (9.11*10^-31) * (1.67*10^-27) / (0.530 x 10^-10) ²

F' = 101.53 x 10^-69 / 0.2809 x 10^-20

F' = 3.164 x 10^-47 N

It is obvious that electrostatic force is greater than that of gravitational, to know how much, we divide electrostatic force by gravitational.

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F/F' = 8.294 x 10^-2 / 3.164 x 10^-47 = 2.62 x 10^45

Thus the electrostatic force is 2.62 x 10^45 times greater than the gravitational.