The magnitude of the force of attraction between the positively charged proton and the negatively charged electron in the hydrogen atom is given bywhere e is the electric charge of the electron, k is a constant, and r is the separation between electron and proton. Assume that the proton is fixed. Imagine that the electron is initially moving in a circle of radius r1 about the proton and jumps suddenly into a circular orbit of smaller radius r2; see Fig. 13-20. (a) Calculate the change in kinetic energy of the electron, using Newton's second law. (b) Using the relation between force and potential energy, calculate the change in potential energy of the atom. (c) By how much has the total energy of the atom changed in this process? (This energy is often given off in the form of radiation.)

Shane Macguire , 9 Years ago

Grade upto college level