Question

For an electron moving in a hydrogen atom, the central potential it experiences is primarily due to:

• A. The nuclear strong force
• B. Electromagnetic attraction to the proton
• C. Gravitational attraction to the proton
• D. Quantum tunneling effects

Hint:

In atomic systems, the dominant force between electrons and the nucleus is always electromagnetic unless otherwise specified. Strong and gravitational forces are not significant at atomic scales for electron interactions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: The hydrogen atom consists of a single proton in the nucleus and a single electron orbiting it. The force that holds the electron in its orbit is the Coulomb (electrostatic) force due to the opposite charges of the proton and the electron.
Step 2: This attractive force is described by the electromagnetic interaction, which is one of the four fundamental forces in nature. The potential energy of the electron in the hydrogen atom arises from this electrostatic interaction.
Step 3: The strong nuclear force only acts over extremely short ranges (on the order of femtometers) and is responsible for binding protons and neutrons together inside the nucleus, not for binding electrons to the nucleus.
Step 4: The gravitational force between an electron and proton is negligibly small due to their extremely low masses. Quantum tunneling effects play a role in certain nuclear processes but not in determining the central potential of a hydrogen atom.
Therefore, the correct explanation for the central potential experienced by the electron in a hydrogen atom is the electromagnetic attraction to the proton.