Question

Neutral hydrogen can be modeled as a positive point charge +1.6×10^−19C surrounded by a distribution of negative charge with volume density given by rhoE(r)=−Ae−2r/a0 where a0=0.53×10^−10m is called the Bohr radius, A is a constant such that the total amount of negative charge is −1.6×10^−19C, and e = 2.718 is the base of the natural log.

Required:
a. What is the net charge inside a sphere of radius a0?
b. What is the strength of the electric field at a distance a0 from the nucleus?

Answer 1

a) 1.082 × 10⁻¹⁹C ( e = 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹C)

b) 3.466 × 10¹¹ N/C

Step-by-step explanation:

a)

p(r) = -A exp ( - 2r/a₀)

Q = ₀∫^∞ ₀∫^π ₀∫^2xπ p(r)dV = -A ₀∫^∞ ₀∫^π ₀∫^2π exp ( - 2r/a₀)r² sinθdrdθd∅

Q = -4πA ₀∫^∞ exp ( - 2r/a₀)r²dr = -e

now using integration by parts;

A = e / πa₀³

p(r) = - (e / πa₀³) exp (-2r/a₀)

Now Net charge inside a sphere of radius a₀ i.e Qnet is;

= e - (e / πa₀³) ₀∫^a₀ ₀∫^π ₀∫^2π r² exp (-2r/a₀)dr

= e - e + 5e exp (-2) = 1.082 × 10⁻¹⁹C ( e = 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹C)

b)

Using Gauss's law,

E × 4πa₀ ² = Qnet / ∈₀

E = 4πa₀ ² × Qnet × 1/a₀²

E = 3.466 × 10¹¹ N/C