How far apart must two protons be if the magnitude of the electrostatic force acting on either one due to the other is equal to the magnitude of the gravitational force on a protons at Earth's surface?

Question

Physics

Samir

17 September, 07:39

How far apart must two protons be if the magnitude of the electrostatic force acting on either one due to the other is equal to the magnitude of the gravitational force on a protons at Earth's surface?

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Answers (1)

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Heath Alexander · Answer 1

0.1186m

Explanation:

1. To get the distance r, we set gravitational force to be equal to electrostatic force. Fe = Fg

2. Since Fg = mg and Fe = ke2/r2

3. We can equate Fg and Fe and then make r the subject of the formular giving r = √ (ke2/mg)

4. Since k = 8.99x10^9 Nm^2/C^2 e = 1.60x10^-19 C (elementary charge) g = 9.8 m / s^2 (acceleration due to gravity) m = 1.67x10^-27 kg (proton mass)

5. We can substitute them into the equations and get r to be 0.1186m