(a) Consider an electron (charge e and mass m) in a | StudySoup

Textbook Solutions for Classical Mechanics

Chapter 4 Problem 4.53

Question

(a) Consider an electron (charge \(-e\) and mass \(m\)) in a circular orbit of radius \(r\) around a fixed proton (charge \(+e\)). Remembering that the inward Coulomb force \(ke^2/r^2\) is what gives the electron its centripetal acceleration, prove that the electron's KE is equal to \(-\frac{1}{2}\) times its PE; that is, \(T=-\frac{1}{2}U\) and hence \(E=\frac{1}{2}U\). (This result is a consequence of the so-called virial theorem. See 4.41.) Now consider the following inelastic collision of an electron with a hydrogen atom: Electron number 1 is in a circular orbit of radius \(r\) around a fixed proton. (This is the hydrogen atom.) Electron 2 approaches from afar with kinetic energy \(T_2\). When the second electron hits the atom, the first electron is knocked free, and the second is captured in a circular orbit of radius \(r^{\prime}\). (b) Write down an expression for the total energy of the three-particle system in general. (Your answer should contain five terms, three PEs but only two KEs, since the proton is considered fixed.) (c) Identify the values of all five terms and the total energy \(E\) long before the collision occurs, and again long after it is all over. What is the KE of the outgoing electron 1 once it is far away? Give your answers in terms of the variables \(T_2\), \(r\), and \(r^{\prime}\).

Solution

Step 1 of 5

(a)

The potential energy of the electron moving around the positive charged nucleus is given as,

Here,  is the electrostatic force constant,  is the charge on electron and  is the radius of orbit.

While moving along the circular orbit the centripetal force is balanced by electrostatic force of attraction i.e.,

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full solution

Title Classical Mechanics 0 
Author John R Taylor
ISBN 9781891389221

(a) Consider an electron (charge e and mass m) in a

Chapter 4 textbook questions

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