Q. How much work must be done to pull apart the electron and the proton that make up the Hydrogen atom, if the atom is initially in the state with $n = 2$
A) $13.6 \times 1.6 \times 10^{- 19}J$
B) $3.4 \times 1.6 \times 10^{- 19}J$
C) $1.51 \times 1.6 \times 10^{- 19}J$
D) 0
Explanation
(b) The electrostatic $P.E.$ is zero when the electron and proton are far apart from each other. Work done in pulling electron and proton far away from each other
$W = E_{f} - E_{i} = 0 - E_{i} = - \left( - \frac{13.6}{n^{2}}eV \right)$
$\Rightarrow W = \frac{13.6}{(2)^{2}} \times 1.6 \times 10^{- 19}J = 3.4 \times 1.6 \times 10^{- 19}J$
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.