Question

Two protons (mass = 1.67 x 10^-27 kg, Charge = 1.6 x 10^-19 C) in a nucleus are 1 x 10^-15 m apart. What is their electrical potential energy?

A. 1.6 x 10^-16 J
B. 2.4 x 10^-16 J
C. 3.2 x 10^-16 J
D. 4.8 x 10^-16 J

Answer 1

The electrical potential energy between two protons can be calculated using the formula: Electric potential energy = (k * q1 * q2) / r. Using the given values, the electrical potential energy is 2.56 x 10^-23 J.

Step-by-step explanation:

The electrical potential energy between two protons can be calculated using the formula:

Electric potential energy = (k * q1 * q2) / r

Where k is the electrostatic constant (k = 9 x 10^9 Nm^2/C^2), q1 and q2 are the charges of the two protons, and r is the distance between them.

Using the given values of the charges and distance, we can calculate the electrical potential energy as follows:

Electric potential energy = (9 x 10^9 Nm^2/C^2) * (1.6 x 10^-19 C) * (1.6 x 10^-19 C) / (1 x 10^-15 m) = 2.56 x 10^-23 J

So the correct answer is A. 1.6 x 10^-16 J.