- #1
RJLiberator
Gold Member
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Question: "Given an electrostatic potential energy of -6.16x10^-18 J and a distance of 1.12x10^-10m, what is the nuclear charge if there is a single electron interacting with the nucleus?"
Okay, Equation:
PE = [K*Q1*Q2]/d
Where K is a constant of 8.99*10^9 J*m/c
d is giving at 1.12*10^-10m
PE is giving at -6.16*10^-18 J
Q1 is giving as the charge of an electron at 1.602 * 10^-19 C
Q2 is what we solve for, which, plugging in the equation is -4.79*10^-19
This equation is easy enough to plug in. HOWEVER, am I answering the equation? Is Q2 = to the nuclear charge? I guess that is where I am confused.
And for Q2 I received a negative charge, I would imagine this is correct since PE is initially negative and the charge of an electron was positive? Or do I have it backwards?
Thank you
Okay, Equation:
PE = [K*Q1*Q2]/d
Where K is a constant of 8.99*10^9 J*m/c
d is giving at 1.12*10^-10m
PE is giving at -6.16*10^-18 J
Q1 is giving as the charge of an electron at 1.602 * 10^-19 C
Q2 is what we solve for, which, plugging in the equation is -4.79*10^-19
This equation is easy enough to plug in. HOWEVER, am I answering the equation? Is Q2 = to the nuclear charge? I guess that is where I am confused.
And for Q2 I received a negative charge, I would imagine this is correct since PE is initially negative and the charge of an electron was positive? Or do I have it backwards?
Thank you
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