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Homework Statement
Suppose the magnitude of the proton charge differs from the magnitude of the electron charge by a mere 1 part in 109.What would be the force between two 1.7-mm-diameter copper spheres 1.7cm apart? Assume that each copper atom has an equal number of electrons and protons.
Express your answer using two significant figures.
Homework Equations
M = ρ V
ρcopper = 8920 kg/m^3
Vsphere = 4*pi / 3 * r^3
Molar mass of Copper = 63.5 g/mol
1 mol = 6.02*10^23
e=1.6*10^-19 C
k=9*10^9 N*m^2 / C^2
total negative charge = -e * #electrons
total positive charge = e * #protons
The Attempt at a Solution
Msphere = (8920 kg/m^3)(4pi/3)(1.7/2 * 10^-3)^3 *1000g/1kg= 0.0229 g
0.0229 g Copper * 1/63.5 mol/g * 6.02*10^23 atoms/mol = 2.17 *10^20 atoms of Copper
total negative charge = -e*(29)*(2.17*10^20)
total positive charge = (29)*(-e+10^-9)
net charge = the sum of the two above
The charge is the same for both copper spheres, so just plug and chug after this point. I am getting the wrong answer. I am certain it has to due with the calculation of the total charge on each of the copper spheres.
I am not sure how to tie the "Suppose the magnitude of the proton charge differs from the magnitude of the electron charge by a mere 1 part in 10^9." part into the actual charge of the copper atoms.
Please help--I don't understand what they mean.
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