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I read here that the orbital speed of an electron around a proton can be calculated as:

$$\frac{m_ev^2}{r} = F_G+F_E$$

where $F_E$ is the proton-electron electromagnetic force, $F_G$ is the proton-electron gravitational force, $m_e$ is the electron mass, $r$ is the orbital radius (radius of hydrogen atom) and $v$ is the orbital speed. Is this a correct way to calculate the orbital speed of an electron?

Kyle Oman
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Bibek Dhakal
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1 Answers1

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The idea of electrons orbiting the nuclus is called the Bohr model and has now been replaced with a quantum model. Electrons exhibit wave-particle duality, which means they sometime act like a wave and sometimes like a particle. They don't actually orbit the nucleus but have areas around it where you are more likely to find them called orbitals.

The equation is wrong even if electons did orbit. It includes a centrifugal force which does not exist, a centrifugal force is just a centripetal force from a different perspective and the centripetal force in this case is the electrostatic force plus weight (Force due to gravity). Also, orbits are elliptical not circular.

Altra
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