Answer to Question #183440 in Physics for Gwyneth Balete

Question

Compute for the centripetal acceleration and force on a proton orbiting a single proton (Bohr model of a hydrogen atom). The electron is orbiting around the proton at a distance of 5 × 10¹¹ m and a speed of

2 × 10⁵m/s.

Answer 1

The centripetal acceleration:

$$a_c=\frac{v^2}{r}=\frac{(2·10^5)^2}{5·10^{11}}=0.08\text{ m/s}^2.$$