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The binding energy of a H-atom consid...

The binding energy of a H-atom considering an electron moving around a fixed nuclei (proton), is
`B = - (me^(4))/(8n^(2)epsi_(0)^(2)h^(2))` (m= electron mass)
If one decides to work in a frame of refrence where the electron is at rest, the proton would be movig around it. By similar arguments, the binding energy would be :
`B = - (me^(4))/(8n^(2)epsi_(0)^(2)h^(2))` (M = proton mass)
This last expression is not correct, because

A

n would not be integral.

B

Bohr- quantisation applies only to electron

C

the frame in which the electron is at rest is not inertial.

D

the motion of the proton would not be in circular orbits, even approximately.

Text Solution

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The correct Answer is:
C

In a hydrogen atom, electrons revolving around a fixed proton nucleus have some centripetal acceleration. So that, its frame of reference is non-inertial. In the frame of reference, where the electron is at rest, the given expression is not true as it forms the non-inertial frame of reference. As the mass of an electron is negligible as compared to proton, so the centripetal force cannot provide the electrostatic force,
`F_(P)= (m_(p)v^(2))/(r )`
So the given expression is not true, as it forms non-inertial frame of reference due to `m_(e ) lt lt lt m_(p)` or centripetal force on `F_(e ) lt lt lt F_(p)`.
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