Because the charges on the electron and proton have the same absolute value, atoms are electrically neutral. Suppose that this is not precisely true, and the absolute value of the charge of the electron is less than the charge of the proton by 0.00100%. Estimate what the net charge of this textbook would be under these circumstances. Make any assumptions you feel are justified, but state clearly what they are. (Hint: Most of the atoms in this textbook have equal numbers of electrons, protons, and neutrons.) What would be the magnitude of the electric force between two textbooks placed 5.0 m apart? Would this force be attractive or repulsive? Discuss how the fact that ordinary matter is stable shows that the absolute values of the charges on the electron and proton must be identical to a very high level of accuracy.
Because the charges on the electron and proton have the same
absolute value, atoms are electrically neutral. Suppose that this is not
precisely true, and the absolute value of the charge of the electron is
less than the charge of the proton by 0.00100%. Estimate what the net
charge of this textbook would be under these circumstances. Make
any assumptions you feel are justified, but state clearly what they are.
(Hint: Most of the atoms in this textbook have equal numbers of electrons,
protons, and neutrons.) What would be the magnitude of the electric
force between two textbooks placed 5.0 m apart? Would this force
be attractive or repulsive? Discuss how the fact that ordinary matter is
stable shows that the absolute values of the charges on the electron and
proton must be identical to a very high level of accuracy.
![](/static/compass_v2/shared-icons/check-mark.png)
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 5 steps
![Blurred answer](/static/compass_v2/solution-images/blurred-answer.jpg)
![College Physics](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781305952300/9781305952300_smallCoverImage.gif)
![University Physics (14th Edition)](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9780133969290/9780133969290_smallCoverImage.gif)
![Introduction To Quantum Mechanics](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781107189638/9781107189638_smallCoverImage.jpg)
![College Physics](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781305952300/9781305952300_smallCoverImage.gif)
![University Physics (14th Edition)](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9780133969290/9780133969290_smallCoverImage.gif)
![Introduction To Quantum Mechanics](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781107189638/9781107189638_smallCoverImage.jpg)
![Physics for Scientists and Engineers](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781337553278/9781337553278_smallCoverImage.gif)
![Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9780321820464/9780321820464_smallCoverImage.gif)
![College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio…](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9780134609034/9780134609034_smallCoverImage.gif)