Question

The binding energy of a H-atom, considering an electron moving around a fixed nuclei (proton), is $B = - \frac{me^{4}}{8n^{2}\varepsilon_{0}^{2}h^{2}}(M = \text{proton mass})$ (m = electron mass). If one decides to work in a frame of reference where the electron is at rest, the proton would be moving around it. By similar arguments, the binding energy would be

$B = - \frac{me^{4}}{8n^{2}\varepsilon_{0}^{2}h^{2}}(M = \text{proton mass})$

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

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

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

Answer 2

In the frame of reference where electron is at rest the given expression cannot be true for binding energy as the frame in which electron is a rest would not be inertial in hydrogen atom electron revolving around a fixed proton nucleus has some centripetal acceleration.