Chapter 2: Problem 1

What is the electrical charge on a proton? A neutron? An electron? What are their relative masses?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The electrical charges of a proton, neutron, and electron are as follows: Proton has a charge of \(+1.602 \times 10^{-19} C\), neutron has no charge (\(0 C\)), and an electron has a charge of \(-1.602 \times 10^{-19} C\). Their relative masses, using the proton's mass as a reference, are approximately: Proton (\(1\)), Neutron (\(1.001\)), and Electron (\(0.000546\)).

Step by step solution

(Step 1: Find the electrical charges)

The electrical charges of a proton, neutron, and electron are already known and defined as follows: - Proton: A proton has a positive electrical charge, and it is given by the symbol \(+e\), where \(e = 1.602 \times 10^{-19} C\) (Coulombs). - Neutron: A neutron has no electrical charge, it is neutral (\(0 C\)). - Electron: An electron has a negative electrical charge, and it is given by the symbol \(-e\), where \(e = 1.602 \times 10^{-19} C\) (Coulombs). So, the electrical charges for these particles are: 1. Proton: \(+1.602 \times 10^{-19} C\) 2. Neutron: \(0 C\) 3. Electron: \(-1.602 \times 10^{-19} C\)

(Step 2: Find the masses)

The masses of a proton, neutron, and electron are known and given as follows (in atomic mass units, or amu): - Proton: A proton has a mass of approximately \(1.0073 \ amu\). - Neutron: A neutron has a mass of approximately \(1.0087 \ amu\). - Electron: An electron has a mass of approximately \(0.00055 \ amu\).

(Step 3: Calculate their relative masses)

To find their relative masses, we need to take the mass of one particle and use it as a reference to calculate the ratio of masses for the other particles. Since the proton has the smallest mass, we will take it as a reference and divide the masses of the neutron and electron by the mass of the proton. Relative mass of Neutron = \(\frac{\text{mass of a neutron}}{\text{mass of a proton}} = \frac{1.0087 \ amu}{1.0073 \ amu} \approx 1.001\) Relative mass of Electron = \(\frac{\text{mass of an electron}}{\text{mass of a proton}} = \frac{0.00055 \ amu}{1.0073 \ amu} \approx 0.000546\)

(Step 4: Summarizing results)

The electrical charges and relative masses of a proton, neutron, and electron are: 1. Proton: - Electrical charge: \(+1.602 \times 10^{-19} C\) - Relative mass: \(1\) 2. Neutron: - Electrical charge: \(0 C\) - Relative mass: \(1.001\) 3. Electron: - Electrical charge: \(-1.602 \times 10^{-19} C\) - Relative mass: \(0.000546\)

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What is the electrical charge on a proton? A neutron? An electron? What are their relative masses?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

(Step 1: Find the electrical charges)

(Step 2: Find the masses)

(Step 3: Calculate their relative masses)

(Step 4: Summarizing results)

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