Question

According to the Rutherford model of the atom, which of the following statement(s) is/are correct regarding an electron revolving around the nucleus of an unielectronic system

• A. The net force acting on electron is zero
• B. Rate of change of speed of the electron is constant
• C. Rate of change of velocity of the electron is constant
• D. The net force acting on electron is provided by electrostatic attraction

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (D)

The net force acting on electron is provided by electrostatic attraction

• The net force acting on the electron required for circular motion of electron is provided by the elctrostatic attraction
• Speed of the electron is constant hence the rate of change of speed is also constant and zero
• At any instant the direction of acceleration of the electron is along the radial line, i.e. direction of radius is changing. Therefore rate of change of velocity is not constant for the given system.