Revolutions per second question

In summary, given an electron mass of 9.1*10^(-31)kg orbiting a proton at a distance of 5.3*10^(-11)m and experiencing an electric force of 9.2*10^(-8)N, the electron will make 9.17*10^9 revolutions per second.
  • #1
guru
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An electron of mass (m=9.1*10^(-31)kg) orbits a proton at a distance of 5.3*10^(-11)m. The proton pulls on the electron with an electric force of 9.2*10^(-8)N.
How many revolutions per second does the electron make?

This is what I did:

m=9.1*10^(-31)kg
v=5.3*10^(-11)m
T=9.2*10^(-8)N

V=sqrt(rT/m)= 23147876.27 m/s

angular velocity (w) = (v/r) = 4.38^(16) rad/s
w*(1 rev/(2(pi)rad)) = 9.17*10^9 rev/s

I was told the answer was wrong.
Please help
 
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  • #2
First, I think you have a decimal-place error in your tangential velocity calculation.

Anyway...

[tex]v = \sqrt{ \frac{T*r}{m}}[/tex]
(I'm following your lead in calling the force T even though it's not a tension force.)

So we can use F for the frequency in revolutions per second
and C is the circumference of the orbit.
The distance traveled divided by the speed gives you the time it takes to cover that distance, so the inverse of that (the speed divided by the distance) will give you the number of revolutions per second.
[tex]F = \frac{v}{C}[/tex]

[tex]F = \frac{\sqrt{\frac{T*r}{m}}}{2\pi r} = \frac{1}{2\pi} \times \sqrt{ \frac{T}{mr}}[/tex]
 
  • #3
Got it!
Thanks a lot
 

Related to Revolutions per second question

1. What does "revolutions per second" mean?

"Revolutions per second" is a unit of measurement for frequency, specifically the number of full rotations an object makes in one second.

2. How is revolutions per second calculated?

To calculate revolutions per second, divide the number of revolutions by the time in seconds. For example, if an object makes 10 rotations in 5 seconds, the revolutions per second would be 2 (10/5 = 2).

3. What are some common objects that have a specific number of revolutions per second?

Some common examples include the blades of a ceiling fan, the wheels of a car, or the hands of a clock. These objects typically have a constant rate of rotation, resulting in a consistent amount of revolutions per second.

4. How is revolutions per second different from other units of frequency?

Revolutions per second specifically measures the number of full rotations an object makes in a given amount of time. Other units of frequency, such as Hertz, measure the number of cycles or oscillations an object makes in one second.

5. What is the significance of revolutions per second in science?

Revolutions per second is an important measurement in many scientific fields, including physics, engineering, and astronomy. It is used to describe the rate of rotation of various objects and can provide valuable information about their motion and behavior.

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