Question

In a gold atom (atomic number 79), an electron revolves around the nucleus in a circular orbit. There is a strong electrostatic force between the positively charged nucleus and the negatively charged electron. Though the total positive charge possessed by the nucleus is much higher than the negative charge of the electron, there is no displacement of the electron in the direction of the force.

1. Name the force responsible for the movement of the electron around the nucleus in its own orbit.
2. In the absence of such force, what would happen to the movement of the electron?

Answer 1

1. The electrostatic force of attraction between the nucleus and the electron acts as the centripetal force. It keeps the electron moving in its circular orbit.
2. If this force were absent, the electron would move in a straight line along the tangent to its orbit at that point.