14. An electron and a proton are initially very far apart (effectively an infinite distance apart). They are then brought together to form a hydrogen atom, in which the electron orbits the proton at an average distance of 5.29 x 10-11 m. What is EPEfinal - EPEinitial, which is the change in the electric potential energy?

 

Use the form for electrical potential energy of a pair of point charges

 

So for U0, r is infinity and the charges are + and – e since they are a proton and an electron

 

For Uf, we get

 

 

 

 

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This page last updated on June 9, 2018