Question

A neutron consists of one "up" quark of charge +2e/3 and two "down" quarks each having charge -e/3. If we assume that the down quarks are 4.6 × 10-15 m apart inside the neutron, what is the magnitude of the electrostatic force between them?

Answer 1

Answer:

The magnitude of the electrostatic force is 120.85 N

Explanation:

We can use Coulomb's law to find the electrostatic force between the down quarks.

In scalar form, Coulomb's law states that for charges $q_1$ and $q_2$ separated by a distance d, the magnitude of the electrostatic force F between them is:

$F = k \frac{|q_1q_2|}{d^2}$

where $k$ is Coulomb's constant.

Taking the values:

$d = 4.6 \ 10^{-15} m$

$q_1 = q_2 = - \frac{e}{3} = - \frac{1.6 \ 10^{-19} \ C}{3}$

and knowing the value of the Coulomb's constant:

$k = 8.99 \ 10 ^{9} \frac{N m^2}{C^2}$

Taking all this in consideration:

$F = 8.99 \ 10 ^{9} \frac{N m^2}{C^2} \frac{ (- \frac{1.6 \ 10^{-19} \ C}{3} ) ^2}{(4.6 \ 10^{-15} m)^2}$

$F = 120.85  \ N$