NEET
- Exam
- NEET
- Subject
- Physics
- Chapter
- Atomic Physics
NEET · Physics · Atomic Physics
Positronium is a bound state of an electron and a positron (a...
Positronium is a bound state of an electron and a positron (a particle with the same mass as an electron but positive charge). If the ground state energy and the first Bohr radius of a normal hydrogen atom are and respectively, what will be the ground state energy and the first Bohr radius of positronium? (Assume the proton mass in hydrogen is infinitely large compared to the electron mass).
Options
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct answer
B.
Step-by-step solution
In a two-body system where the nucleus is not infinitely massive, the effective mass of the orbiting particle is replaced by the reduced mass of the system.
For positronium, both particles have mass . The reduced mass is:
The energy of a Bohr orbit is directly proportional to the reduced mass (). Therefore, the ground state energy of positronium is:
The radius of a Bohr orbit is inversely proportional to the reduced mass (). Therefore, the first Bohr radius of positronium is:
.
Answer:
For positronium, both particles have mass . The reduced mass is:
The energy of a Bohr orbit is directly proportional to the reduced mass (). Therefore, the ground state energy of positronium is:
The radius of a Bohr orbit is inversely proportional to the reduced mass (). Therefore, the first Bohr radius of positronium is:
.
Answer: