Question

If you built a scale-model atom in which the nucleus is the size of an adult's fist. About how far would the cloud of electrons extend

Answer 1

6m

Step-by-step explanation:

The diameter of a proton is

1.75

×

10

-15

l

m

.

The Bohr radius — the most probable distance from the nucleus to the electron — is

5.29

×

10

-11

l

m

.

The diameter of a hydrogen atom is therefore

2

×

5.29

×

10

-11

l

m

=

1.058

×

10

-10

l

m

.

diameter of atom

diameter of proton

=

1.058

×

10

-10

m

1.75

×

10

-15

m

=

6046

That is,

diameter of atom = 6046 × diameter of nucleus

.

If the diameter of the model nucleus is 1 mm, then

diameter of model atom

=

6046 × 1 mm

=

6046 mm

=

6 m

(1 significant figure)