Question

A neutron consists of one "up" quark of charge +2e/3 and two "down" quarks each having charge -e/3. If we assume that the down quarks are 4.6 × 10-15 m apart inside the neutron, what is the magnitude of the electrostatic force between them?

Answer 1

The magnitude of the electrostatic force is 120.85 N

Step-by-step explanation:

We can use Coulomb's law to find the electrostatic force between the down quarks.

In scalar form, Coulomb's law states that for charges
`q_1` and
`q_2` separated by a distance d, the magnitude of the electrostatic force F between them is:

`F = k (|q_1q_2|)/(d^2)`

where
`k` is Coulomb's constant.

Taking the values:

`d = 4.6 \ 10^(-15) m`

`q_1 = q_2 = - (e)/(3) = - (1.6 \ 10^(-19) \ C)/(3)`

and knowing the value of the Coulomb's constant:

`k = 8.99 \ 10 ^(9) (N m^2)/(C^2)`

Taking all this in consideration:

`F = 8.99 \ 10 ^(9) (N m^2)/(C^2) ( (- (1.6 \ 10^(-19) \ C)/(3) ) ^2)/((4.6 \ 10^(-15) m)^2)`

`F = 120.85  \ N`