In: Physics
Calculate how far apart an electron and a proton would have to be for their electric force to be equal in magnitude to their gravitational force in a hydrogen atom (a distance of 52.9pm). Give the answer in meters. Then convert meters to light-years given that the speed of light is 2.998*108 m/s and a year is approximately 365.2421 days, and a light year is the distance light travels in one year.
let the separation be r
the electric force between electron and proton will be
the gravitational force between them in the hydrogen atom is
equating the two forces
r = 2.52 X 109 m
distance covered by light in one year = 2.998 X 108 X 365.2421 X 24 X 60 X 60 = 9.46 X 1015 m
r = 2.66 X 10-7 light years