The nucleus of the helium atom contains two protons that are separated by about 3.8 multiplied by 10^-15 m. How do you find the magnitude of the electrostatic force that each proton exerts on the other?

1 Answer
Trevor Ryan.
Jan 6, 2016

#15.956N#

Explanation:

We may use Coulomb's Law in electrostatics to find the force of repulsion (since like charges repel) between these 2 electric point charges, each having the unit quantity of charge equal to the charge of 1 electron, #1.6xx10^(-19)C#.

#F=k(Q_1Q_2)/(r^2)#, where #k=9xx10^9N.m^2//kg^2# is Coulomb's constant.

#therefore F=((9xx10^9)xx(1.6xx10^(-19))^2)/(3.8xx10^(-15))^2#

#=15.956N#.

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