To get the electrostatic force forcing the two protons apart, use Coulomb's Law
F = k e^2/r^2
where r = 10^-15 m and e is the proton (and electron) charge, in Coulomb's. The value of the constant k should be available in your notes or textbook, or can easily be found by googling "Coulomb's law"... or read
http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/gbssci/phys/Class/estatics/u8l3b.html
The reason the nucleus stays together is that there is an addition attractive force between bosons (protons and neutrons) called "the strong force"
What gravitational force do yhe two protons in the helium nucleus exert on each other? There separation is approximately 1.0 fm.
I know that 1 fm is 10^-15 m i didn't know if that was how you figured it out to get it to N?
1 answer