The nucleus of the helium atom contains two protons that are separated about 3.0x10^-15m. Find the magnitude of the electrostatic force between the protons. (The protons remains together in the nucleus because the repulsive electrostatic force is balanced by an attractive force called the string nuclear force.)

Question

anonymous · Answer

F=(kq^2)/(r^2)
substitute the values. q=charge of proton

anonymous · Answer

What happened to the other $$q_{2}$$

anonymous · Answer

q1 and q2 are both protons, hence they have equal charge.

anonymous · Answer

then what what is the number for protons ?

anonymous · Answer

you mean the charge carried by a proton?

anonymous · Answer

I know k= 8.99x10^9

anonymous · Answer

Yes

anonymous · Answer

the charge of a proton is 1.60217646 × 10-19 coulombs

anonymous · Answer

$$q1q2\div4pi \epsilon0 r ^{2}$$  So squaring the distance gives 9^-30 multiply by 4 pi epsilon zero. That gives the denominator.  So the bottom of the quotient will be very small  (1.01^-39)  The top is the charge squared which is 1.602^-19 x 1.602^-19 which gives 2.566^-38.  So the force is the top divided by the bottom which is 2.566^-38/1.01^-39= 25 N.

anonymous · Answer

Okay thank you . Very helpful