Question

What is the electrostatic force between and electron and a proton separated by 0.1 mm? 2.3 × 10^-20N, attractive.
2.3 × 10^-20N, repulsive.
2.3 × 10^-18N, attractive.
2.3 × 10^-18N, repulsive.
2.3 × 10^-16N, attractive.

Answer 1

Answer:

2.3 × 10⁻²⁰ N, attractive

Explanation:

An electron has a negative charge and a proton has a positive charge. Opposite charges attract each other. We can calculate the magnitude of this attractive force (F) using Coulomb's law.

$F=k.\frac{q_{1}\times q_{2}}{r^{2} }$

where,

k: Coulomb's constant

q: charges

r: distance

$F=k.\frac{q_{1}\times q_{2}}{r^{2} }=8.99 \times 10^{9}N.m^{2}.C^{-2} \frac{(1.6 \times 10^{9}C)^{2} }{(0.1 \times 10^{-3}m)^{2} } =2.3 \times 10^{-20}N$

The modulus of the force is 2.3 × 10⁻²⁰ N.