Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
Two protons are m apart inside a nucleus. Find the electric force between them. Find the force of gravity between them. The mass of a proton is kg, and . By what factor is the electric force larger?
In a medium the force is divided by the dielectric constant . The force on each charge has the same size, in opposite directions: like charges repel and unlike charges attract.
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Step 1. The electric force. . The top is . The bottom is . So .
Step 2. The force of gravity. . The top is . The bottom is , as before. So .
Step 3. The ratio. .
Answer: N, N, and a ratio of .
Check. The ratio does not depend on the distance. It is , which is a fixed number for two protons.
What does this mean? The protons push each other apart with N, a huge force for a particle. Gravity cannot hold them together. Another force, the strong nuclear force, must be much stronger still.
Log in to join the discussion.
Loading…