In the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom, the speed of the electron is approximately 2.30 x 10^6 m/s. How would you find the force acting on the electron as it revolves in a circular orbit of radius 5.30 x10^ -11 m?
1 Answer
Nov 3, 2015
You would find it like this:
Explanation:
I will apply classical physics to this problem.
The centripetal force is given by:
I'll use the rest mass of the electron:
This is not a good question as it is not compatible with the Bohr model of the atom. An electron in a circular orbit like this would emit radiation and, by losing energy, spiral into the nucleus.
To overcome this problem Bohr proposed the concept of "energy levels".
I have given an answer based on classical physics.