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# Using Rutherford'S Model of the Atom, Derive the Expression for the Total Energy of the Electron in Hydrogen Atom. What is the Significance of Total Negative Energy Possessed by the Electron? - Physics

#### Question

Using Rutherford's model of the atom, derive the expression for the total energy of the electron in hydrogen atom. What is the significance of total negative energy possessed by the electron?

#### Solution

From Rutherford's model of the atom, the magnitude of this force is

f_E=1/(4piepsilon_0)((2e)(Ze))/r^2

For hydrogen atom,

Let,

Fc − Centripetal force required to keep a revolving electron in orbit

Fe − Electrostatic force of attraction between the revolving electron and the nucleus

Then, for a dynamically stable orbit in a hydrogen atom, where Z = 1,

Fc = Fe

(mv^2)/r=((e)(e))/(4piepsilon_0r^2)

r=e^2/(4piepsilon_0mv^2)

K.E. of electron in the orbit,

K=1/2mv^2

From equation (i),

K=e^2/(8piepsilon_0r)

Potential energy of electron in orbit,

U=((e)(-e))/(4piepsilon_0r)=(-e^2)/(4piepsilon_0r)

∴ Total energy of electron in hydrogen atom

E=k+U=e^2/(8piepsilon_0r)-e^2/(4piepsilon_0r)

E=-e^2/(8piepsilon_0r)

Here, negative sign indicates that the revolving electron is bound to the positive nucleus.

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