Question

A typical atomic polarizability is 1 × 10-40 (C·m)/(N/C). If the q in p = qs is equal to the proton charge e, what charge separation s could you produce in a typical atom by applying

Answer 1

The charge separation in a typical atom can be calculated using the equation p = qs, where p is the polarizability, q is the charge, and s is the charge separation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is asking about the charge separation in a typical atom. Atomic polarizability is a measure of how easily the electron cloud of an atom can be distorted by an external electric field. In this case, the charge separation can be determined by the equation p = qs, where p is the polarizability, q is the charge, and s is the charge separation. If q is equal to the proton charge e, the charge separation s can be calculated as s = p/q. Substituting the given value of p (1 × 10-40 (C·m)/(N/C)) and q (e), the charge separation s can be found.

Answer 2

s = 6.25 10⁻²² m

Step-by-step explanation:

Polarizability is the separation of electric charges in a structure, in the case of the atom it is the result of the separation of positive charges in the nucleus and the electrons in their orbits, macroscopically it is approximated by

p = q s

s = p / q

let's calculate

s = 1 10⁻⁴⁰ / 1.6 10⁻¹⁹

s = 0.625 10⁻²¹ m

s = 6.25 10⁻²² m

We see that the result is much smaller than the size of the atom, therefore this simplistic model cannot be taken to an atomic scale.