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Physics

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.

(a) Name the force responsible for the movement of the electron around the nucleus in its own orbit.

(b) In the absence of such force, what would happen to the movement of the electron?

Force

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Answer

(a) The force responsible for keeping the electron in its circular orbit around the nucleus is the: Electrostatic (Coulomb) Force

(b) According to Newton's First Law, in the absence of a centripetal (electrostatic) force, an electron would not maintain circular motion and would move in a straight line tangential to its instantaneous velocity.

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