Skip to main content
Ch.5 - Thermochemistry
Chapter 5, Problem 16

Use the equations given in Problem 5.15 to calculate: (a) The electrostatic force of repulsion for two electrons separated by 75 pm. (b) The gravitational force of attraction for two electrons separated by 75 pm. (c) If allowed to move, will the electrons be repelled or attracted to one another?

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Identify the relevant equations for calculating forces. For electrostatic force, use Coulomb's Law: \( F_e = \frac{k \cdot |q_1 \cdot q_2|}{r^2} \), where \( k \) is Coulomb's constant, \( q_1 \) and \( q_2 \) are the charges of the electrons, and \( r \) is the separation distance. For gravitational force, use Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation: \( F_g = \frac{G \cdot m_1 \cdot m_2}{r^2} \), where \( G \) is the gravitational constant, and \( m_1 \) and \( m_2 \) are the masses of the electrons.
Step 2: Substitute the known values into Coulomb's Law. The charge of an electron \( q \) is approximately \(-1.602 \times 10^{-19} \) C, and the separation distance \( r \) is 75 pm, which needs to be converted to meters (1 pm = \( 10^{-12} \) m).
Step 3: Substitute the known values into Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation. The mass of an electron \( m \) is approximately \( 9.109 \times 10^{-31} \) kg, and use the same separation distance \( r \) as in Step 2.
Step 4: Calculate the electrostatic force \( F_e \) using the substituted values in Coulomb's Law. This will give you the magnitude of the repulsive force between the two electrons.
Step 5: Calculate the gravitational force \( F_g \) using the substituted values in Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation. Compare the magnitudes of \( F_e \) and \( F_g \) to determine whether the electrons will be repelled or attracted.

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Coulomb's Law

Coulomb's Law describes the electrostatic force between two charged particles. It states that the force is directly proportional to the product of the magnitudes of the charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. This law is essential for calculating the electrostatic force of repulsion between two electrons, which both carry a negative charge.
Recommended video:
Guided course
01:15
Coulomb's Law Concept 2

Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation

Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation states that every mass attracts every other mass with a force that is proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers. This principle is crucial for calculating the gravitational force of attraction between two electrons, despite their minuscule mass compared to the electrostatic forces at play.
Recommended video:
Guided course
01:42
Entropy of the Universe

Nature of Electric and Gravitational Forces

Electric forces can be either attractive or repulsive depending on the charges involved, while gravitational forces are always attractive. In the case of two electrons, the electrostatic force will cause them to repel each other due to their like charges, while the gravitational force, although present, is negligible in comparison. Understanding this distinction is key to predicting the behavior of the electrons when allowed to move.
Recommended video:
Guided course
01:14
Nature of Energy