Protons carry an electrical charge of e=1.60 x 10^-19 C, electrons carry a charg

Question

Protons carry an electrical charge of e=1.60 x 10^-19 C, electrons carry a charge of -e, and neutrons are electrically neutral. Protons and Neutrons have a mass of 1.67 x 10^-27 kg, and electrons have a mass of 9.11 x 10^ -31 kg. A uniform electric field can exert a force on a charged particle that effectively neutralizes the force of gravity on the particle, causing it to be "weightless." What is the strength of the electric field that will levitate a) a proton? b) an electron? c) an alpha particle (two protons and two neutrons)?

Explanation / Answer

we want mg = qE for each particle. Solving for E, E = mg/q

(a) proton: E = (1.67 * 10-27 kg)(9.81 m/s2)/(1.60 * 10-19 C) = 1.02 * 10-7 N/C

(b) electron: E = (9.11 * 10-31 kg)(9.81 m/s2)/(1.60 * 10-19 C) = 5.59 * 10-11 N/C

(c) alpha: E = (6.68 * 10-27 kg)(9.81 m/s2)/(3.20 * 10-19 C) = 2.05 * 10-7 N/C

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